Government ‘getting ready to tackle flu pandemic’

ONE of the country’s leading experts on flu pandemics has said the Department of Health is doing “everything possible” to ensure that “when the flu pandemic arrives” the country will be fully prepared.

Influenza pandemics took place worldwide in 1918, 1957 and 1968 — with 1918 the most serious outbreak.

Experts predict another pandemic will occur in the coming years, and estimate that up to 5,000 people could die in such an outbreak with 14,000 possibly requiring hospitalisation.