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Statement from the Emergency Planning Society - 25 Oct 2005 There are three primary issues with regard to avian 'flu and the risk of a 'flu pandemic. Firstly, avian influenza, or "bird flu", is, in itself, not a risk to humans. It is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. While all bird species are thought to be susceptible to infection, domestic poultry flocks are especially vulnerable to infections that can rapidly cause epidemics in poultry. It rarely causes disease in wild waterfowl but can cause large outbreaks associated with high mortality in poultry. In these instances the term “highly pathogenic avian influenza” (HPAI) is used. This form is highly contagious in birds and more often than not fatal for the bird, which can die very quickly. Secondly, there is concern that a particular highly pathogenic strain, known as H5N1, has transferred to humans, causing severe disease on two occasions in the recent past (1997 and 2003) and is now doing so again (since 2004) in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. There are no human cases in Europe linked to this outbreak. Thirdly, there is no evidence that the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has adapted to spread easily in humans. The risk to human health in the UK is low. So why is there such concern being expressed? Many, but not all, of the outbreaks in Asia have been caused by the H5N1 strain. There is evidence that it can transfer to humans and cause death. It is possible for avian and human influenza viruses to exchange genes in a human simultaneously infected with viruses from both species. Swapping genes inside a human body can produce a completely new 'flu virus sub-type to which few, if any, people would have a natural immunity. If a new strain has enough human genes, it can transmit from one person to another. If this happens then the conditions for a new influenza pandemic will be met. Existing vaccines are developed each year to match current strains and protect us during seasonal epidemics, but these would not be effective against a completely new influenza virus. It could take many weeks to develop an effective vaccine against a completely new strain.

Avian Influenza A, subtype H5N1 confirmed in the UK With the confirmation from Government Scientists at Weybridge that deadly influenza virus Avian Influenza A, subtype H5N1 has been found in a quarantined dead parrot in the UK, public concern about the preparedness and contingencies for dealing with a large scale outbreak of Pandemic Influenza is bound to increase. The Emergency Planning Society (EPS) is responding to a large number of enquiries from the media seeking clarification on aspects of responsibility, emergency planning and preparedness for a possible Pandemic Influenza outbreak. Whilst the Department of Health retains authority and is responsible for responding to the present Pandemic threat, EPS members hold wide ranging responsibility for planning and responding to all emergency situations that might affect the UK population. The Civil Contingencies Committee, working in conjunction with Government Offices and the 9 multi-agency Regional Resilience Teams, has a key role in the planning, co-ordination and response to a possible Pandemic. This is as set out in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. The regional teams are the key interface between central Government and local responders in maintaining a high state of preparedness for dealing with emergencies. The Department of Health Protection Agency (HPA) has prepared detailed plans for responding to an Influenza Pandemic, with its latest contingency plan (version 8) published on 20 October 2005 and available on its website at http://www.hpa.org.uk. The Health Departments will be advised by the UK National Pandemic Influenza Committee and the Scientific Advisory Group. Questions relating to the co-ordination of the UK health response by the Department of Health, NHS or PCT’s should be directed to the Department of Health Emergency Preparedness Division, http://www.dh.gov.uk.

The Emergency Planning Society information service EPS members are aware of the current Pandemic threat and monitoring the situation at National and Regional levels. Information is constantly updated, with EPS members ensuring that Local Authorities and other Responders’ plans are at an appropriate stage of development, commensurate with the threat of an Influenza Pandemic.

HPA to co-ordinate EU Pandemic Flu Exercise The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is to evaluate the ability of National and European level decision makers to co-ordinate their response to an Influenza Pandemic in a EU wide crisis simulation exercise. The aim of Exercise Common Ground is to rehearse decision making on public health measures and to share information with essential public services across the EU. The dates for the two day exercise will not be announced in advance but will not involve any mobilisation of emergency or healthcare services. A media briefing will be arranged by the EU at the time of the exercise. More information is available at http://www.hpa.org.uk. AVIAN INFLUENZA For information on the case of Bird Flu at Redgrave, see the Suffolk County Council, and Defra websites "There are three primary issues with regard to avian 'flu and the risk of a 'flu pandemic. Firstly, avian influenza, or "bird flu", is, in itself, not a risk to humans. It is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. While all bird species are thought to be susceptible to infection, domestic poultry flocks are especially vulnerable to infections that can rapidly cause epidemics in poultry. It rarely causes disease in wild waterfowl but can cause large outbreaks associated with high mortality in poultry. In these instances the term “highly pathogenic avian influenza” (HPAI) is used. This form is highly contagious in birds and more often than not fatal for the bird, which can die very quickly. Secondly, there is concern that a particular highly pathogenic strain, known as H5N1, has transferred to humans, causing severe disease on two occasions in the recent past (1997 and 2003) and is now doing so again (since 2004) in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. There are no human cases in Europe linked to this outbreak. Thirdly, there is no evidence that the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has adapted to spread easily in humans. The risk to human health in the UK is low. So why is there such concern being expressed? Many, but not all, of the outbreaks in Asia have been caused by the H5N1 strain. There is evidence that it can transfer to humans and cause death. It is possible for avian and human influenza viruses to exchange genes in a human simultaneously infected with viruses from both species. Swapping genes inside a human body can produce a completely new 'flu virus sub-type to which few, if any, people would have a natural immunity. If a new strain has enough human genes, it can transmit from one person to another. If this happens then the conditions for a new influenza pandemic will be met. Existing vaccines are developed each year to match current strains and protect us during seasonal epidemics, but these would not be effective against a completely new influenza virus. It could take many weeks to develop an effective vaccine against a completely new strain." Emergency Planning Society BLUETONGUE The latest information, advice and guidance on the case of Bluetongue detected near Ipswich is available at the Defra Government website. "CIVIL PROTECTION NEWS" The Cabinet Office has now published Issue 2 of Civil Protection News on the UK Resilience website, the primary purpose of which is to provide more information from central government; helping key practitioners to address key issues; supporting the sharing of good practice amongst practitioners; and being open about what we are doing to support them in their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act.