Statement to Assembly by Health Minister - Swine Influenza
Tuesday, 5 May 2009Mr Speaker, I wish to provide a further update to members in relation to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, or “swine flu” as it is commonly known.
Since my statement to the Assembly last week there have been a number of new developments of which I would like to make Members aware. Many countries have confirmed cases of the swine flu virus but, outside Mexico and the United States, the numbers of affected individuals remain low at this stage. As a consequence, the World Health Organisation Pandemic Alert Level remains at level 5. This indicates the increasing likelihood of a pandemic but not, I must stress, that it is inevitable.
In the UK a total of 27 cases have now been confirmed and in the Republic of Ireland there has been 1 confirmed case. In Northern Ireland we currently have 0 confirmed cases, and test results are pending for 4 individuals.
The lack of information and uncertainty about the current situation in Mexico makes it difficult to establish exactly what the impact of this virus will be. During previous pandemics such as the ‘Spanish’ Flu in 1918 it appears that the rate of infection abated over the summer, with an increase in cases over the winter. The lower summer rate of infection was also true of the ‘Asian’ and ‘Hong Kong’ flus in the 50s and 60s.
So we must be on our guard and prepare for a potential further wave of the swine flu virus in the autumn, which may be more widespread. It is important too, that we use our stock of antivirals carefully so that the public will be protected during the winter months. Preparations are underway for example to increase our stockpiles of antivirals – I will return to that in a moment.
We must take some reassurance from the fact that, to date, anyone who has contracted the virus outside of Mexico, has had a relatively mild flu, similar to that of seasonal flu.
In addition, it appears that swine flu responds well to treatment with antivirals and, in fact, some patients have recovered without antiviral treatment.
That does not mean we will be complacent. No-one can say for certain how this virus may change or if the situation will worsen. We have been planning for a potential pandemic for a number of years and this country remains amongst one of the best prepared in the world.
My officials and staff in the Public Health Agency and in the Health and Social Care sector have been working tirelessly over the past week to ensure there is robust surveillance and appropriate testing of individuals at risk. They have also put measures in place to ensure the immediate availability of antiviral medications to those who may need them.
But at this point I want again to reassure members that we have no confirmed cases and we are well prepared for any cases that may emerge.
I would now like to set out some of the current measures that I have put in place.
With regard to the production of a vaccine the four UK Health Departments have sleeping contracts in place with manufacturers.
This is an arrangement that reserves our place in the global queue should production of a pandemic specific vaccine become necessary. The contracts ensure that manufacturers reserve production capacity for the UK should a vaccine be needed.
Given that it will take several months before a vaccine becomes available, we will in the interim need to ensure we have adequate supplies of antiviral medication, which is proving effective in treating this virus.
We currently have a stock of antiviral drugs which will cover half of the population. Steps are in place to increase this so that there will be sufficient antivirals to treat up to 80% of the population. No previous global pandemic has been known to affect more than a third of the population.
We have placed supplies of the antiviral medications in hospitals and in GP out of hours centres. In addition, measures are in place to ensure that an adequate supply of antiviral medication will also be available to community pharmacies.
We know that the complications of influenza, particularly pneumonia, may require treatment with antibiotics.
While it is expected that antibiotics will only be needed for a small proportion of individuals who may develop swine flu, it is important that there are adequate supplies. Work is therefore also underway to increase supplies of antibiotics.
In Northern Ireland we have set up a helpline that has played a most important role in providing advice to anyone who has concerns. Since it was established last Thursday, around 800 people have called the helpline on 0800 051 41 42. Information on swine flu is also available from the UK Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.
In addition to the range of measures outlined I must emphasise once again the most important message that members of the Northern Ireland public should follow good hygiene practices. These include regular hand washing, using a clean tissue to cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and remaining at home if they develop flu-like symptoms. These are simple, yet highly effective, steps that every individual can take that will make a real difference.
That is why these messages have also been reinforced in advertisements currently running on television and radio.
A leaflet providing further advice and information for the public will be delivered to homes across Northern Ireland from the end of this week.
I continue to receive full and detailed briefings on the situation as it develops. I also have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues in other UK administrations and in the Republic of Ireland.
This has included daily meetings of the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms or COBR which is only activated in cases of national emergency or crisis, or during events abroad with major implications for the UK. These meetings, which I attend, are chaired by Alan Johnston, Secretary of State for Health in England and the Health Ministers from Wales and Scotland also participate.
I want to assure members that this issue is being taken seriously by the government, not just in Northern Ireland but across the world. Internationally, the World Health Organisation is taking the lead in providing advice and information on this ever-changing situation.
On a national level, it is managed through COBR and the four home countries, while locally it is the Department, the Public Health Agency and the Health and Social Care service which are in the lead.
Daily updates on this situation are issued to the media and to all Assembly members and, I will of course report again to the Assembly if there are significant changes to the current situation.
In the meantime, members can remain assured that we have the necessary capability to respond to the swine flu virus. The Health Service is well prepared and I would like to thank staff in the service for the commitment, support and dedication they have demonstrated in the face of a potential pandemic.
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