IRELAND WORKING ON PREPAREDNESS PLAN FOR PANDEMIC

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU KPAO SENV EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND WORKING ON PREPAREDNESS PLAN FOR PANDEMIC
INFLUENZA

REF: A. STATE 69310


B. 05 DUBLIN 1434

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1. On May 8, Post delivered ref A demarche to Teresa Cody,
Department of Health and Children Principal Officer for
Public Health, who is Post's primary GOI contact on avian
influenza (AI). Cody noted that she would reconnect with
Post regarding any GOI questions on ref A materials. She
also forwarded the brief note copied in para 2 regarding
Ireland's preparedness plan for pandemic influenza. In sum,
the note says that Ireland is continuing to expand, in the
context of AI, a pandemic flu plan that was originally
drafted in 2002. The Influenza Pandemic Expert Group
referenced in the note is a panel of health professionals and
academics who provide the GOI scientific advice on AI, while
the Standing Inter-Departmental Committee includes
representatives of Government agencies with front-line
responsibilities in the event of a pandemic outbreak. HSE
refers to the Health Service Executive, the body that
oversees Ireland's health care system. The note indicates
that GOI efforts are currently focused on stockpiling
vaccines and anti-viral drugs. (Ref B presents a more
detailed outline of Ireland's AI efforts.)


2. Begin note:

Pandemic Preparedness

All evidence to date indicates that the avian influenza
(H5N1) virus does not spread easily from birds to infect
humans. The WHO level of pandemic alert remains unchanged at
phase 3: a virus new to humans is causing infections, but
does not spread easily from one person to another.

Pandemic preparedness planning is a high priority for the
Department of Health and Children and for the Health Service
Executive. The overall aims of influenza pandemic planning
are to reduce mortality and morbidity, and to minimize the
resulting disruption to society in so far as possible.

This work has been ongoing for some time:

-- A Model Plan for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness was
finalized in 2002.

-- A generic public health emergency plan for the health
system was prepared in 2004. This included disease-specific
Operational Response Plans in relation to SARS, pandemic
influenza and smallpox.

Pandemic planning is a dynamic process and work is ongoing on
a number of fronts:

-- The Influenza Pandemic Expert Group is updating expert
guidance.

-- The Pandemic Influenza Operational Response Plan is being
updated in line with the most up to date expert advice. This
work is being progressed through working/implementation
groups established by the HSE to address actions within a
number of functional areas.

-- The Department has established a Standing
Inter-Departmental Committee to consider issues which go
beyond the health aspects of an influenza pandemic.

-- Arrangements have been made to procure a stockpile of H5N1
vaccine for key health care workers and other essential
workers. The Department is also actively pursuing an
advanced purchase order for a pandemic strain vaccine.

-- We are stockpiling 1 million treatment packs of the
antiviral drug, Tamiflu. 600,000 packs have already been
delivered. The remaining 400,000 packs will be delivered
this year. Arrangements have also been made to purchase a
supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (oseltamivir
phosphate powder) to treat children between 1 to 5 years of
age.

-- Arrangements are also being finalized for the stockpiling
of additional supplies of the other suitable antiviral drug,
Relenza.

-- Non-pharmaceutical public health interventions aimed at
reducing the spread of infection also have an important role.
The Expert Group is updating guidance in this area with
reference to the latest recommendations from the World Health
Organization.

-- Further information is on www.dohc.ie/issues/avian flu

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End note.
Kenny