XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!   Javascript Syndication for RxPG News

Research Health World General
 
  Home
 
 Latest Research
 Cancer
 Psychiatry
 Genetics
 Surgery
 Aging
 Ophthalmology
 Gynaecology
 Neurosciences
 Pharmacology
 Cardiology
 Obstetrics
 Infectious Diseases
 Respiratory Medicine
 Pathology
 Endocrinology
 Immunology
 Nephrology
 Gastroenterology
 Biotechnology
 Radiology
 Dermatology
 Microbiology
 Haematology
 Dental
 ENT
 Environment
 Embryology
 Orthopedics
 Metabolism
 Anaethesia
 Paediatrics
 Public Health
 Urology
 Musculoskeletal
 Clinical Trials
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Cytology
 Traumatology
 Rheumatology
 
 Medical News
 Health
 Opinion
 Healthcare
  UK
   NHS
  USA
  World
  India
  South Africa
  New Zealand
  Australia
  Canada Healthcare
  China Healthcare
  Africa
 Professionals
 Launch
 Awards & Prizes
 
 Careers
 Medical
 Nursing
 Dental
 
 Special Topics
 Euthanasia
 Ethics
 Evolution
 Odd Medical News
 Feature
 
 World News
 Tsunami
 Epidemics
 Climate
 Business
Search

Last Updated: Nov 17th, 2006 - 22:35:04

UK Channel
subscribe to UK newsletter

Medical News : Healthcare : UK

   DISCUSS   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT
UK at forefront of preparations internationally for pandemic influenza
Mar 4, 2005, 21:23, Reviewed by: Dr.

'From an initial review of the document, I note that this is a high quality plan, which shows that the UK continues to be at the forefront of preparations internationally for pandemic influenza. We hope that every country will develop their preparations to the same high degree'.

 
Health Secretary John Reid today announced the Department of Health is to procure 14.6 million courses of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), an antiviral drug, as part of the UK's preparedness for an influenza pandemic. The move came as Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, published the Government's Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan, setting out the steps being taken to prepare for a flu pandemic.

John Reid said:

'The plan we are publishing today, together with our procurement of these antivirals, puts the UK in the forefront of international preparedness for a possible flu pandemic.

'We are working closely with other governments and the World Health Organization to ensure the international community is as well prepared as it can be to spot and address the early signs of a pandemic as quickly as possible.

'However, it makes sense to ensure we in the UK are as prepared as we can be and have drugs for use against an influenza pandemic here. That is why I have ordered 14.6 million courses of oseltamivir for delivery over the next two financial years. This will enable us to treat one in four of the UK population - the proportion which the WHO recommends we plan for.'

Pandemic flu is not like the 'seasonal' flu we see every winter in the UK. It would be expected to cause more serious illness and affect far more people. Experts believe a new pandemic strain of flu is likely to spread rapidly across the globe.

Experts suggest that around one in four of the UK population could be affected by the disease. Without medical countermeasures, the number of deaths resulting from pandemic flu could be 50,000 or higher. 'Seasonal' flu results in around 12,000 deaths a year.

Influenza pandemics are caused when a new flu virus emerges which is markedly different from recently circulating strains. As it is new, ordinary flu vaccines will not be effective and a new vaccine will need to be made. This will take time. Therefore, a vaccine will not be available at the beginning of a pandemic. Tamiflu is expected to reduce the impact of the disease.

Sir Liam Donaldson said:

'Wherever in the world a flu pandemic starts, perhaps with its epicentre in the Far East, we must assume we will be unable to prevent it reaching the UK. When it does, its impact will be severe in the number of illnesses and the disruption to everyday life. The steps we are setting out today will help us to reduce the disease's impact on our population.

'We have already started work which should help speed up the production of a vaccine once a pandemic strain of flu has emerged. The Secretary of State's announcement of the procurement of a large stock of antiviral drugs will give us another potentially valuable countermeasure.

Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, Assistant Director General for Communicable Diseases at the World Health Organisation said:

'From an initial review of the document, I note that this is a high quality plan, which shows that the UK continues to be at the forefront of preparations internationally for pandemic influenza. We hope that every country will develop their preparations to the same high degree'.

Measures set out in the plan include:

* Improving surveillance of avian or 'bird' flu in South East Asia - seen by experts as the most likely source of a pandemic strain of flu transmitted by people. The UK Government recently gave the World Health Organization �500,000 to boost avian flu monitoring in the region and improve the chances of an early warning of a pandemic.
* Ensuring robust surveillance of possible cases in the UK, using the existing procedures of the Health Protection Agency and Royal College of General Practitioners to monitor flu-like cases seen by GPs.
* Informing the public about the likely risks of a pandemic and what they should do in the event of pandemic flu
* Being prepared to take steps to reduce the risk of spread of the disease, such as advising against certain travel, possibly closing schools and cancelling events where large crowds gather such as football matches or pop concerts.
* Considering how antiviral drugs will be used to treat people who are confirmed or suspected cases of pandemic flu.
* Explaining how a vaccine might be developed and, once created, how it would be used.
* Suggesting how Government departments and key industries can prepare to minimise the impact of pandemic flu on everyday life

Roche will supply 14.6 million courses of Tamiflu over the next two financial years, with 7.3 million courses available by the end of 2005-06 and the rest as soon as possible during the next financial year.
 

- The Pandemic Contingency plan
 

www.dh.gov.uk

 
Subscribe to UK Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 

The Pandemic Contingency plan, together with some explanatory documents, are published on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk

Related UK News

Indians among worst affected by TB in Britain
Mental health units should not be exempt from smoking ban
NHS may be buying surgical equipment unethically
Is it time to give NHS more independence?
University of Leeds receives Gates Foundation grant for material approach to malaria prevention
Tuberculosis control and impact of socially excluded groups
Pertussis Endemic Among UK School Children
Building a safer NHS: How safe are the patients?
Experts Comment on New Blood Pressure Guidelines
New Guideance will Result in Better Control of Hypertension - BPA


For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 

© Copyright 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us