European Commission to undertake Europe wide pandemic response exercise (press release)

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Markos Kyprianou, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, has outlined plans for a Europe-wide scenario-based exercise, which will simulate an influenza pandemic.

The exercise will test crisis communications, exchange of information between authorities, and the readiness and coverage of national pandemic plans as well as their inter-operability. The exercise will be conducted before the next influenza season.

The announcement was made in a speech during the recent European Parliament debate on influenza pandemic preparedness. In the speech Kyprianou also stated:

• “Planning for influenza pandemic preparedness is a top priority for the Commission. I am pleased to report that our efforts in this important area are bearing fruit.”

• “I am very concerned about the evolution the avian influenza epidemic has taken in Asia. So far 79 human cases have been reported from Viet Nam, Thailand and Cambodia since its onset early last year, and 49 people have died. Millions of domestic poultry had to be killed. The disease has become endemic in many parts of the Asian region and its eradication cannot be considered a short term objective. Even more worryingly, the disease has given rise to grave concerns that an influenza pandemic is imminent. All it would take is that the deadly virus currently circulating in Asia acquires the capacity of being transmitted from human to human.”

• “To prevent the introduction of the avian influenza virus from Asia, we have been active on the animal health front and imports of live birds and risky products from the concerned countries have been prohibited. Furthermore, the Commission has adopted a new directive on Community measures for the control of avian influenza to ensure that the Member States can apply the most appropriate surveillance and control measures. In this way we hope to reduce the risk that major outbreaks occur in the Community in the future.”

• “The representatives of the Member States in our Health Security Committee have agreed a position for engaging the industry in a public-private partnership to facilitate the rapid production of pandemic vaccines in time of need.”

• “The main risk inherent in the current situation is that the EU does not dispose of an instrument to rapidly react to crisis situations and to show solidarity in the aftermath.”

• “Should the pandemic strike standard arrangements are in place which enable the Commission and the Member States to rapidly communicate measures that are taken or intended to take. Our central plank for response is the Early Warning and Response System. Under this system, Member States must formally and promptly notify cases to the Community, and must consult each other on counter-measures, where possible.”

• “The Commission is working to improve laboratory preparedness and to enhance collaboration between the influenza networks of the human and the animal sector in view of facilitating early detection.”

• “The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control will play a central role in influenza pandemic preparedness planning. When fully operational, the centre should coordinate all activities regarding risk assessment, surveillance and detection, and alert investigation.

• “The next influenza pandemic may be of unprecedented scale. The warning signs are clear. Preparedness planning must be a clear priority for all of us. The Commission will continue to keep up the momentum. Our success will, however, depend heavily on strong political commitment and support.”

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