News

17th March 2005

London at risk

With seven million people people living together in close proximity, London is especially at risk from the global flu pandemic predicted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) according to London MEP John Bowis, Conservative health spokesman.

"Any flu outbreak could spread like wildfire," he said. Mr Bowis was speaking at the European Parliament's environment and consumer protection committee in Brussels this week. "We need to know the British government has effective disease control plans in place particularly as London is one of the busiest transport hubs in the world," he added.

"Britain is way behind France, Germany, Australia and America in preparing to protect its citizens," he says.

The US has been stockpiling antiviral drugs and vaccines for six months. Britain has only just started ordering antivirals but plans only to cover 20% of the population. It has no plans to stock vaccines. Currently available vaccines could reduce risk especially for the elderly and children.

John Bowis, Conservative MEP for London, has written to the European Commission asking for clarification on EU funding for the tsunami disaster relief. He is concerned that there are huge risks of profiteering and mismanagement of the funds raised by the explosion of public giving plus the donations from European governments and agencies. He has asked the Commission what steps it is taking to avoid this.