NPA releases action plan for flu pandemics

The National Police Agency released an action plan this week for dealing with outbreaks of new types of influenza to which people have little immunity.

Health experts fear that new types of influenza, such as bird flu, could soon hit large portions of the world population. The action plan lays out specific measures for the NPA and prefectural police to take if an outbreak becomes a pandemic.

As soon as an outbreak is suspected, a special task force will be set up at the NPA and the prime minister's office, where NPA officials will be dispatched.

Police will then be equipped with masks and other protective gear while working with medical institutions so vaccines can be given to health care officials and others most likely to be exposed to a new flu outbreak.

The plan also calls for riot police to be mobilized around airports, harbors and hospitals. They will also strengthen patrol and security checks in coastal areas to prevent people who might be infected from illegally entering the country to prevent a disease from spreading.

The NPA action plan is based on a set of measures recommended by the government in December 2005. Based on the plan, each prefectural police agency will work out its own steps by the end of this fiscal year.

The NPA plans to seek funding of about ¥155 million to implement the plan.