Steps are being taken to ensure Ireland can respond to any outbreak of anthrax, the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin, said today.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, Mr Martin, said the Irish Medicines Board – set up in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US – is building up its stock-pile of the drug, Ciproxin, used to treat anthrax.
The Irish Medicines Board was set-up to respond to the perceived threat of biological or chemical warfare. The Government has already said there is no reason to believe Ireland would be the target of such an attack.
Chaired by Professor Bill Hall, Director of the Virus Reference Laboratory, the Board was set up to review the structures already in place; the National Disease Surveillance Centre; the Virus Reference Laboratory; and regional public health offices.
It has met three times over the last month and has recommended a 24-hour on-call service.
It is carrying out a review of the diagnostic capabilities of the Virus Reference Laboratory, the availability of stocks of essential vaccines and antibodies, a review of the of quarantine facilities.
The Board is also currently drawing up information sheets for GPs and hospitals.