Contingency plan?

Germany has ordered all domestic poultry to be kept inside. A mass cull is being carried out in the Baltic Sea island of Ruegen, where the first bird flu case was found, and the military deployed to clear dead birds from the mainland coastal region. People, vehicles and equipment entering the area are being disinfected. A nationwide ban on poultry markets has been imposed.

Vaccine research?

Each German state is responsible for ordering vaccine. The government is supporting the pharmaceutical industry with 200m euros to develop a prototype vaccine.

Anti-virals stocks?

A theoretical human flu pandemic would be expected to infect a third of the German population. The health ministry has told states to ensure anti-virals are available for one in five of the population.

Information correct as of 20 February 2006