§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the risk of an outbreak of Fujian flu in Northern Ireland; what steps he is taking to prevent such an outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [142662]
§ Angela SmithThe Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) (NI) monitors the incidence of infectious diseases here. The CDSC put enhanced surveillance of influenza in place since October 2000. After three relatively quiet years, influenza activity started earlier than usual, with evidence that influenza virus has been circulating in Northern Ireland for a number of weeks. However, GP consultation rates for flu and flu-like illness in NI appear to have peaked for the present time, and are now falling. To date, all isolates of influenza have been identified as influenza A H3 and one isolate has been typed as Fujian strain. It is too early to say if there will be a resurgence of activity later in the season.
As regards steps to prevent an outbreak, I would refer the hon. member to the reply to her question about influenza vaccination on 4 December (Official Report column 117W).