Today's Date:

The epizootic disease is continuing to spread: cases have been reported in Turkey and Romania, others are currently being investigated in Greece and Croatia. It is very likely being carried by migratory birds and so France is not immune.

The government has already drawn up a plan to prevent and fight bird flu. Professor Didier Houssin has been appointed as an interministerial delegate. We shall ensure that the French are informed of developments in the situation and the measures taken, and next week I shall convene a meeting of the representatives of the parliamentary groups to present these measures to them and hear any proposals they may have. To prevent the disease spreading, poultry imports from contaminated countries have been banned and the surveillance of migratory birds and poultry breeding farms increased. Finally, even though no case of human-to-human transmission has been found, we are anxious to protect the French: 50 million masks are being delivered to hospitals and the number is scheduled to rise to 200 million early next year. By the end of this year, we shall have enough antivirals available to treat 14 million patients and 40 million vaccine doses have been reserved and will be available as soon as the vaccine has been developed.

In the face of the threat, the government has set itself three clear rules. First of all, constant transparency regarding developments in the situation and the risks. Secondly, coordination with all our partners: at national level, the scientific community; at European level, with the other member States; and, finally, at international level with WHO and the less developed countries which we must help. Finally, we have envisaged gradually stepping up the measures depending on the development of the disease. So the government has put in an indisputable effort of preparation and forward planning with a view to providing a managed response to this threat./.