With growing concern that the world is facing an imminent influenza pandemic to match the three global pandemics of the last century, Health Minister Patrice Minors has warned that a virus with a typical 25 percent attack rate would affect 15,851 people in Bermuda and kill 41.

The fatality figures would depend on how virulent the virus strain was, but the World Health Organisation is already urging countries around the world to prepare themselves for a global outbreak.

The danger of the rampant H5N1 bird flu virus mutating to become contagious amongst humans is one potential source of a world wide influenza pandemic.

Speaking in the House of Assembly, the Minister described the preparations underway in Bermuda to make the Island ready for the eventuality of such a global threat.

She mentioned the pandemic of 1918, which claimed 25 million lives around the world, and the milder outbreaks of 1957 and 1968 that caused an estimated four million deaths.

?A pandemic has the potential for suddenly causing illness in large numbers of people, resulting in significant absenteeism in the workforce, including critical positions,? said Mrs. Minors.

?Such a situation could significantly impact the delivery of essential community services. Planning is necessary to mitigate the potential impact on the community and minimise social and economic disruption.?

The Heath Ministry has started the preparedness and planning by linking up with other Government departments, outside organisations and the business community, she said.

Mrs. Minors said steps have been taken to establish a committee to oversee development of a national plan to co-ordinate the Island?s response, identifying agencies and organisations and individuals who would play a key role should a pandemic strike, and establishing clear command and control roles and responsibilities.

She added: ?Both the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Department of Health have developed draft Pandemic Influenza Plans relevant to their areas. The Department of Health has also developed an action plan for ensuring planning takes place in all relevant sectors of the community.?

Specific objectives of the plan include preparing for a pandemic situation, conducting surveillance and identifying cases, managing cases, preventing further spread of disease and maintaining essential services.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann is in the process of forwarding information to all Government departments, the business community, outside organisations and others involved in the planning process, said Mrs. Minors. ?The threat of pandemic influenza is real. However, I am confident that we can come together to prepare and plan so that we can face the challenges a pandemic will present,? she added.