This just in...

Made it along to the briefing in the Science Gallery at lunchtime today.

Great discussion of the issues, with a large crowd.

Meanwhile I just got a timely reply to my Question to the Minister for Health...

QUESTION NO: 116

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Health and Children (Ms. Harney (Dublin Mid-West))
by Deputy Ciarán Cuffe
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 30/04/2009


* To ask the Minister for Health and Children the type, brand and number of units of anti-viral medicines available to deal with a possible pandemic in view of the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ciarán Cuffe T.D.


REPLY.
Stocks of antivirals sufficient to treat 47% of the population are currently stockpiled.
We have one million courses of adult dosage Tamiflu; 177,958 of 30mg paediatric capsules; 51,549 of 45mgs paediatric capsules and 706,000 courses of Relenza in stock for an Influenza Pandemic.
Recommendations for the stockpiling of antivirals are kept under constant review by the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group. The quantity of antivirals in stock or on order is enough to treat almost 2 million people. This compares very favourably with other countries across Europe and beyond.