A pandemic refers to the world-wide spread of a disease, with outbreaks or epidemics in many countries and in most regions of the world. Pandemics of influenza usually happen when a new influenza virus emerges which is different from other influenza viruses, and which has the ability to spread rapidly from person-to-person causing serious illness in a high number of cases. It is not possible for us to predict when a pandemic of human influenza will occur.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised countries around the world that a global pandemic of human influenza could emerge in the near future. Countries are urged to prepare plans to deal with such an eventuality. Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases and the Director-General's Representative for Pandemic Influenza has stated that “a human influenza pandemic will be a big problem - but by working together we can respond effectively” www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2006/np05/en/index.html .

The United Kingdom has had a national influenza pandemic plan since 1997. This plan has been continually updated, and the revised National Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic was published on 22 November 2007 www.dh.gov.uk . In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has also produced an Interim Implementation Plan for a human influenza pandemic, which dove-tails with the overall UK plan. The latest version of this document was published in October 2005 and can be accessed through the following website http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/phealth/pandemicflu/pandemic-contingency.htm   . A revised version of this document issued for comment on Wednesday 12 March 2008.

On the 17th of March 2006 the WHO published a draft protocol for rapid response to, and containment of, a potential human influenza pandemic virus. This protocol outlines the steps that will be required in response to the emergence of an influenza virus with pandemic potential, and highlights that the success of a strategy for containing an emerging human pandemic virus is strictly time dependent. Full text of this report can be accessed at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/draftprotocol2006_03_17/en/index.html

A revised Northern Ireland Health focussed Contingency Plan for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic issued for comment on 12 March 2008.The closing date for comment is 9 May 2008. It is accompanied by a range of supporting guidancefor specific Health and Social Care sectors. All these documents can be accessed at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/consultations/current_consultations.htm

On the 22nd November 2007, the Secretary of State for Health launched a revised National Framework for Pandemic Flu for consultation. An ethical framework has also been issued to assist planners in making the difficult decisions brought about by a pandemic. This guidance is available by clicking on the links below.

On the 27^th April 2006 the DHSSPS and the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Health Protection Agency hosted a one-day table-top exercise (Exercise Delilah) to test the Northern Ireland Implementation Plan for the UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan.

Exercise Delilah was predominantly a health-led training and development exercise. It also included representatives of other government departments and agencies who will have an important role to play in management of an influenza pandemic in Northern Ireland. The exercise provided the opportunity for participants to explore the issues around the health response, and also the response of the wider community, during a sustained rise in influenza activity in the province.

A copy of the full report of Exercise Delilah has now been published:

The Flu Planning Team in DHSSPS uses its publication entitled  ‘Pandemic Influenza Planning Bulletin - Update for HSC in Northern Ireland’ to inform and advise on progress in the health related aspects of pandemic planning.  The March 2008 issue of this bulletin can be downloaded by clicking on the following link (March 2008 Bulletin PDF 302 KB) .

The DHSSPS (Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety), DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), and HM Revenue & Customs in Northern Ireland have recently produced a leaflet  (PDF 63 KB) and a poster  (PDF 62 KB) giving advice to people who may be traveling to, or returning from, areas/countries affected by highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1). Please consult these information resources for further information.

Latest advice relating to travel to or from countries affected by H5N1 can also be accessed through the website of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk and the website of the National Travel Health Network www.nathnac.org.