AVIAN INFLUENZA: IRELAND GEARING UP

UNCLAS DUBLIN 001094

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TBIO ECON SOCI
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: IRELAND GEARING UP

Ref: State 158302


1. On September 2, Embassy delivered reftel demarche to
Brain Mullen, Principal Officer, Community Health
Division, Department of Health and Children. Mullen said
that the GOI shared U.S. concerns regarding avian
influenza and is taking steps to monitor and deter its
potential spread to Ireland. The GOI was also revising
its influenza epidemic plan and maintaining close contact
with the WHO and EU partners. Mullen noted that the GOI
planned to finalize next week a tender for 200,000 doses
of the prototype H5N1 vaccine, with delivery expected in
early 2006.


2. Mullen remarked that while the threat to Ireland via
migrating birds was considered low, a number of inter-
agency groups were monitoring the situation. The Expert
Group on Influenza, which includes representatives of the
Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, the
Department of Agriculture, and the Department of
Education, was meeting on a monthly basis. The
Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and the
Department of Defense's Office of Emergency Response were
also liaising with the Expert Group as part of monitoring
efforts.


3. The primary GOI point of contact for Avian Influenza
is:

Brian Mullen
Principal Officer, Community Health Division
Department of Health and Children.
Tel: (353) (1) 635-4310

KENNY