H5N1 influenza questionnaire: are Scottish emergency departments ready to isolate and treat a possible index case?

• Published in: Emergency Medicine Journal
• Main Authors: Vardy, J, Mukherjee, N, Dignon, N
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Group 2007
• Subjects: Short Report; Avian flu
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2658237; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17384384; https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.2006.041178

H5N1 has emerged as a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu. Cases of bird‐to‐human transmission have occurred and raised concerns that human‐to‐human transmission may be possible. Therefore, it is vitally important to isolate any index case arising from bird‐to‐human transmission. Questionnaires were sent out to emergency departments throughout Scotland seeking information on the availability of facilities and supplies necessary to treat and prevent onward infection from a suspected index case of human H5N1 infection. They were specifically asked about side rooms for isolation and supplies of FFP3 masks, lysis buffer and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).