BRISBANE TO HOST NATIONAL PANDEMIC INFLUENZA EXERCISE

Australia’s preparedness to respond to a pandemic influenza outbreak will be tested during a national exercise being staged in Brisbane next week, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson told State Parliament Exercise Cumpston (Oct 16-19) is the first pandemic influenza simulation exercise of its size and scope anywhere in the world.

“BrisbaneInternationalAirport will be the operational focus of the exercise which involves Commonwealth and State Government agencies right across Australia.

“On Tuesday, the airport will host an exercise simulating the arrival of a suspected pandemic influenza case aboard an international flight.

“This will help test help Australia’s border control and surveillance readiness as well as the capacity of health and other agencies to respond quickly and effectively to such a threat.

“It will also test the effectiveness of whole-of-government contingency planning plus co-ordination between Commonwealth and State agencies, the private sector and non-government organisations.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health will play a key role in the exercise.

“It will lead the health response at the airport as well as test its other response mechanisms; including distribution of anti-viral drugs, disease containment and the efficiency of laboratory sample-testing processes.

“Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital will also use the exercise to test its procedures for the assessment and admission of suspected influenza patients.

“And, on Wednesday, a community assessment clinic for pandemic influenza will be set up and operate at the Logan Entertainment Centre,” he said.

Mr Robertson said Queensland is well advanced in preparedness to minimise the potential health, social and economic impacts of a human influenza pandemic.

“We have a whole-of-government Queensland Pandemic Influenza Plan in place.

“And Queensland has its own stockpile of 30,800 courses of anti-viral drugs ready to respond to any local influenza pandemic or outbreak of bird flu in humans.

“But the importance of Exercise Cumpston should not be understated.

“Not only will it help Queensland and other Australian agencies hone and improve their existing contingency planning and response mechanisms.

“It will also ensure Queensland and national agencies work better together so that we can quickly and effectively respond to any potential entry of pandemic influenza to our shores.”

Mr Robertson said 55 international observers are flying in to watch the exercise.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190