Ireland well-prepared for bird flu, says Govt official

A senior Department of Health official has revealed Government plans to deal with possible outbreak of avian flu in Ireland are well-advanced and "ahead of the posse".

Brian Mullen said there had been significant planning for a "worst-case scenario" involving a mutant virus which could be spread from person to person.

He explained that 200,000 doses of the newest vaccine had been ordered, as well as anti-viral drugs for at least 25% of the population.