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Poultry workers to get flu jabs Poultry workers to get flu jabs
(about 1 hour later)
Poultry workers in England are to be offered seasonal flu jabs as a way to minimise any threat from bird flu.Poultry workers in England are to be offered seasonal flu jabs as a way to minimise any threat from bird flu.
Experts say offering them protection against human flu will cut the already small risk that they might catch human and bird flu at the same time.Experts say offering them protection against human flu will cut the already small risk that they might catch human and bird flu at the same time.
At present, bird flu - H5NI - cannot easily pass from human to human.At present, bird flu - H5NI - cannot easily pass from human to human.
But once the virus gains this ability - which is most likely if it mixes and combines with human flu - it could put millions at risk worldwide.But once the virus gains this ability - which is most likely if it mixes and combines with human flu - it could put millions at risk worldwide.
This is a prudent and precautionary step to take Dr David SalisburyThis is a prudent and precautionary step to take Dr David Salisbury
The latest move is designed to ensure that poultry workers do not provide an opportunity for the two types of virus to come into close contact.The latest move is designed to ensure that poultry workers do not provide an opportunity for the two types of virus to come into close contact.
Dr David Salisbury, the Department of Health's director of immunisation, stressed that H5N1 was a disease of birds, which posed a small risk only to people who had prolonged contact with infected birds.Dr David Salisbury, the Department of Health's director of immunisation, stressed that H5N1 was a disease of birds, which posed a small risk only to people who had prolonged contact with infected birds.
Even then the risk was tiny, and there had been no human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the UK.Even then the risk was tiny, and there had been no human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the UK.
In total, 157 people have died from bird flu since the current outbreak of H5N1 began in 2003 - the large majority in south east Asia.In total, 157 people have died from bird flu since the current outbreak of H5N1 began in 2003 - the large majority in south east Asia.
And Dr Margaret Chan, the new chief of the World Health Organization, warned last week that bird flu remains a global threat.And Dr Margaret Chan, the new chief of the World Health Organization, warned last week that bird flu remains a global threat.
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Dr Salisbury said: "The immunisation programme we are announcing today is a precautionary measure which reduces any very low risk of a pandemic flu virus emerging in the UK.Dr Salisbury said: "The immunisation programme we are announcing today is a precautionary measure which reduces any very low risk of a pandemic flu virus emerging in the UK.
"This is a prudent and precautionary step to take as part of our contingency planning in protecting the population against the risk of pandemic flu.""This is a prudent and precautionary step to take as part of our contingency planning in protecting the population against the risk of pandemic flu."
Information packs are being sent to all keepers of poultry who are required to be registered and approved slaughterhouses in England.Information packs are being sent to all keepers of poultry who are required to be registered and approved slaughterhouses in England.
Primary care trusts throughout England will be given the appropriate amount of seasonal flu vaccine and extra resources to cater for the expected additional uptake.Primary care trusts throughout England will be given the appropriate amount of seasonal flu vaccine and extra resources to cater for the expected additional uptake.
It is estimated that more than 60,000 poultry workers may be eligible for the flu vaccine.It is estimated that more than 60,000 poultry workers may be eligible for the flu vaccine.
At a briefing to announce the plans, Fred Landeg, the government's chief veterinary officer, warned that very cold weather would increase the risk of bird flu coming to the UK this year.
He said a cold snap could mean that wild birds headed west towards the UK.