EHJ June 2005, page 30-31

A failure to control the arrival of avian influenza in Europe could result in a flu pandemic on the scale of the Spanish flu of 1917 killing millions. Tina Garrity reports on what is being done to prevent such a disaster

Fears of a Europe-wide outbreak of avian influenza have prompted the commission to update existing EU measures on the disease. A draft directive on the control of avian influenza was published at the end of April and has been circulated by Defra for comment.

It explains that avian influenza is a serious, highly contagious disease affecting poultry and other birds caused by different types of viruses. Avian Influenza viruses can spread to other animals and humans, usually following direct contact with infected birds. In the human host, the disease can range from mild conjunctivitis to potentially fatal illness.

Current knowledge indicates that the health risks posed by the so-called highly pathogenic avian influenza, such as H5 and H7, have been responsible for the vast majority of the cases reported in humans, and of all avian influenza-related human deaths. In general, domestic poultry populations are free from avian influenza viruses. However, certain wild birds, such as ducks and geese, act as a permanent "reservoir" of the less virulent low pathogenic avian viruses. Domestic poultry sometimes catch the virus from these wild birds.

In the EU, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have so far occurred in Italy (1999-2000) and the Netherlands, with secondary spread to Belgium and Germany (2003). These outbreaks devastated the poultry sector. Several human cases were reported in the Netherlands despite draconian control measures and the mass slaughter of animals, an unpopular move with the public. Mass culling also attracted criticism from the European Court of Auditors who raised concerns about the economic impact on the community budget.

However, the consequences of not controlling avian influenza are deeply worrying. Scientists fear that an uncontrolled outbreak could lead to the emergence of a virus fully adapted to humans and able to cause an influenza pandemic, like the "Spanish flu" of 1917-1919. Such a pandemic could cause millions of human deaths and global socio-economic consequences.

The current measures (Directive 92/40/EEC) focuses on controlling the highly pathogenic viruses. Fears of the low pathogenic viruses mutating have led to calls for new controls, but with the caviate that any steps taken have to be proportionate to the risk. A blanket policy of eradiating low pathogenic avian influenza could be extremely expensive and unnecessary, says the commission. It has therefore come up with measures that take account of the different types of viruses and animal host involved.

The commission is proposing compulsory surveillance for low pathogenic avian influenza in all member states, along with new and more flexible policies on vaccination. It also wants to see new and flexible controls on the spread of the virus to domestic birds other than poultry such as birds kept in zoos.

New provisions to ensure cooperation between veterinary and public health authorities across Europe where avian influenza is detected are needed and the commission wants the authority to establish an avian influenza vaccine bank.

Most of the detailed provisions relate to animal health and cover holdings where outbreaks occur or are suspected. These include rules on restriction zones, transport of animals, waste disposal, biosecurity, etc. Public health measures such as prevention measures for staff exposed to infected poultry are not covered since these lie within the competence of the member states under the subsidiary principle.

In relation to imports of products from third countries experiencing outbreaks of avian influenza, the commission has issued a number of decisions over the last year, including Decision 2004/122/EC which led to the suspension of poultry products and pet birds from a number of the south east Asian countries affected. Some of these restrictions have now been lifted

Further information on EU activity in relation to avian influenza, including a link to the draft directive, can be found at :

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/avian/index_en.htm

EU LAUNCHES ITS STOP THAT NOISE! CAMPAIGN

An estimated one third of Europe's workers - more than 60 million people - are exposed to high levels of noise for more than a quarter of their working time and almost 40 million workers have to raise their voices above normal conversational levels in order to be heard for at least half of their working hours.

As a result of these findings the commission which has launched the Europe-wide campaign Stop that noise! The strapline for the campaign is "Noise at work - it can cost you more than your hearing". It aims to convey the message that excessive noise at work not only damages hearing but can also be a causal factor in accidents, contribute to work-related stress, and may act together with other workplace hazards to cause ill health. The campaign will culminate in European week for safety and health at work on 24-28 October.

A range of printed and online information, including examples of good practice, will be produced, supported by thousands of events in 31 European countries, including member states, as well as candidate and European Free Trade Association countries. Coordinated by the agency's network of national focal points (in the UK's case the Health and Safety Executive), events will range from training initiatives and promotional campaigns to seminars and workshops.

In addition, businesses and occupational safety organisations will be invited to sign an online campaign charter to demonstrate their commitment to more effective noise management. A number of European good practice awards are also on offer to companies or organisations that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to the prevention of risks from noise at work. Good practice examples will include implemented solutions to prevent or reduce risks from noise to workers' safety and health. All entries should show good management, particularly the effective use of risk assessment and implementation of its findings, and be focused on successful prevention of risks to workers. The area covered is quite broad and may range from control and elimination of loud noise from the workplace and sound management methods used to enable effective communication in noisy environments (eg by emergency services), to training schemes and awareness-raising education programmes.

Full details of the Stop that noise campaign! can be found at the agency's special European Week 2005 website (http://ew2005.osha.eu.int).

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOATING LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Inflatable water toys and similar objects are the latest focus of attention under the 2001 general product safety directive. The directive requires producers to only sell safe products, goods that conform to voluntary national standards transposing European standards.

Floating leisure articles are currently not covered by any EU product-specific legislation. This is, however, set to change under a European decision which paves the way for European standards to be adopted.

The decision lists the main risks, from drowning to entrapment or entanglement and collision. It also stipulates product design and that safety warnings are given.

All products will have to carry the following warning "Attention: no protection against drowning. Swimmers only!" Design requirements must cover, as a minimum, elements such as floating stability, minimum buoyancy, easy gripping and escape and quick release mechanisms for products towed at high speed. The principle of safety by design must take precedence over safety by instruction and the materials and workmanship employed in production must take into account the expected use of the articles and eventual consequences for the health of the user and the environment.

Commission decision of 21 April 2005 on the safety requirements to be met by the European standards for floating leisure articles for use on or in the water pursuant to Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. OJ L 104. 23.04.05.

http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_104/l_10420050423en00390041.pdf