£150m drugs to fight killer flu

The Government is ordering 14.6 million doses of drugs worth £150 million to combat a feared spread of Asian bird flu.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson admitted today that if the outbreak turns into a pandemic "we must assume we will be unable to prevent it reaching the UK".

He warned: "When it does, its impact will be severe in the number of illnesses and the disruption to everyday life."

Experts warn that more than 50,000 people in Britain could die unless action is taken. It is the first time the Government has stockpiled antiviraldrugs to deal with such a threat. It underlinesfears that the disease could mutate into a form which could be transmitted between humans rather than from just from birds to humans as at present.

The Government published its Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan today which includes:

  • Proposals to limit the spread of the disease should it hit the UK, such as advising against certain travel, closing schools and cancelling major public events such as football matches or pop concerts.
  • Improving surveillance of bird flu in Asia and taking measures to spot possible cases here.
  • Informing the public about what they should do in the event of a pandemic and suggesting how government departments and key industries can prepare to minimise the impact.

The World Health Organisation has said it is almost inevitable that a pandemic will develop and has warned that governments must be

ready. The doses of Tamiflu would be enough to treat one in four of the British population - the coverage recommended by the WHO.

The drug works by reducing symptoms and helping to limit the spread of the disease, for which there is no current vaccine.

Tamiflu will be stockpiled over the next two financial years. Those most at risk, such as health workers, will be the first to get the drug.

Ken Livingstone has already spent ?1million on similar drugs for transport workers.

Asian bird flu has so far killed 40 people in China, Vietnam and Thailand and it is now suspected of having spread from person to person, instead of just from birds to humans.

It is fatal in at least two-thirds of cases and the WHO has warned the disease could mutate into a new form with the potential to kill millions.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "The plan we are publishing today, together with our procurement of these anti-virals, puts the UK in the forefront of international preparedness for a possible flu pandemic.

There were three flu pandemics during the 20th century. The worst one in 1918 killed up to 50 million people.

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