Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ebola Virus.

Mary Wallace

Question:

22 Miss M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will call for the evacuation of Irish aid workers in Zaire following the Department of Foreign Affairs, advice that Irish citizens should not travel to Zaire following the outbreak of the Ebola virus. [9300/95]

Tony Killeen

Question:

71 Mr. Killeen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, that is being taken to protect Irish people from the spread of the Ebola virus. [9390/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 71 together.

Since the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic my Department has been in contact with those Irish aid agencies which have emergency relief programmes in the refugee camps in Zaire. There are at present 35 Irish aid personnel working in these camps which are located 1,400 kilometres to the North East of Kitwit where the Ebola outbreak has occurred. The Ebola virus represents a new risk for the aid workers who already have to face health and security risks on a daily basis as they courageously carry out their essential humanitarian work.

The aid agencies are monitoring the situation closely and at present have no plans to evacuate their aid staff from the camps in the Rwandan/Zairian border.

The Government is receiving regular briefings on the Ebola epidemic from the World Health Organisation in Geneva. While there is no doubt that this is a deadly and frightening disease, the WHO assessment is that the Ebola epidemic is not a general health emergency. Only those in direct contact with the virus are at risk of infection and air borne transmission of the virus is not effective.

Accordingly, having regard to the assessment of the aid agencies themselves and of the World Health Organisation, the Government see no reason at present to call for an evacuation of Irish aid personnel who are engaged in essential humanitarian work. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs is of the view that non-essential travel to Zaire should be avoided at present because of the fragile security situation in the country and the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus. As a further precaution, the Departments of Health and Justice have agreed that travellers from Zaire should be required to produce a certificate of good health before visas of entry into Ireland are issued.

Last week the WHO launched an appeal for US$250,000 for an emergency programme to contain the disease and to treat victims. The Government has allocated US$30,000 to the WHO appeal and the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has allocated a grant of 250,000 ECU for a three month emergency programme.

The Ebola epidemic serves to remind us of the acute health problems facing many countries in Africa. Children are especially vulnerable and there is an ongoing need for funding to meet health needs and to carry out research for new, effective vaccines. Primary health care programmes are a key element of Irish funded development programmes in the priority countries in Africa and I intend to place emphasis on this vital work in the context of the expanding programme.