Finian McGrath
Question:156 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reconsider his ban on athletes with disabilities from the five SARS affected areas. [14131/03]
Written Answers. - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Finian McGrath
Question:157 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he ignored the experienced opinion of the World Health Organisation in relation to the SARS guidelines. [14132/03]
Finian McGrath
Question:158 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he discriminated against athletes with disabilities over and above persons or groups travelling here from SARS affected areas. [14133/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a severe form of pneumonia or infection of the lungs, which appeared recently in south-east Asia. As of 20 May 2003, 7,919 probable SARS cases with 662 deaths have been reported to the WHO internationally. I established an expert group in mid-March to monitor the situation as it developed and to advise me of the measures required to deal with this syndrome. The group, which consists of experts from public health and related fields as well as two consultants in infectious diseases and two consultant microbiologists, continues to meet on a regular basis. The expert group is currently chaired by the chief medical officer of my Department.
One of the issues considered in depth by the expert group was the implications of SARS for the Special Olympics. The group considered the matter over several meetings and also met Dr. Richard Pebody of the World Health Organisation, who provided technical advice. The measures considered by the group were grounded in a number of priority objectives, such as the preservation of the low level of incidence of SARS cases in Ireland. There has been only one probable case of SARS in this country to date and that person has now fully recovered. The group's objectives also included maintaining the highest level of public health in Ireland; minimising the disruption of normal health services; minimising the risk of introduction of SARS into Ireland; protecting athletes and delegates from SARS infected areas, as we have a responsibility as the host country to assess and minimise the risk and to provide the best protection, advice and facilities; protecting athletes and delegates from other participating countries, given that we have a duty of care to all attending the games; maintaining the integrity of the Special Olympics; ensuring the participation of the highest number of athletes possible; and creating the most conducive atmosphere for the competitors to excel without having undue or unnecessary concerns about their health.
The expert group also considered the nature of the event and its distinctive, unique characteristics in the context of risk assessment and risk minimisation for the importation of SARS. Bringing together people in large numbers would further increase the likelihood of transmission of infectious diseases. Many of the people with a disability participating in the games are at increased risk of infection, particularly those with respiratory problems. For these reasons, the expert group decided that the Special Olympics required special consideration and further measures over and above those given to other individuals travelling from regions affected by SARS.
The expert group's final recommendation was based on a number of key questions. Would the existing measures here be sufficient? How effective would quarantining at a port of exit be? How effective would quarantining and screening be in Ireland? Considering all of these matters, what is the best solution? Having considered the available options in depth, the expert group regretfully requested that certain delegations be asked not to attend the games. The countries would be those which, at the operative time, are on the WHO list of areas with recent local transmission. The operative date would be ten days prior to the normal arrival of such countries before the official start of the games. This decision was not taken lightly. At present the countries on the WHO list of areas with recent local transmission are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
I considered the expert group's decision at length and I discussed the matter with the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste agreed that the best course of action was to accept the expert group's recommendation. It is unfortunate that this decision had to be made and I acknowledge and regret the disappointment this has caused. A great deal of hard work, time and effort has been put into preparing for and organising the games by the athletes as well as the Special Olympics committee, the host towns and local communities. It should be borne in mind that the WHO status of some countries may change as we get nearer to the date of the games. Dr. Mike Ryan of the WHO confirmed on 16 May 2003 that the WHO is "happy with the rationale" used for the expert group's recommendation. The WHO has also reiterated that any decisions about mass gatherings are left to the authorities of the individual countries, based on their assessment of the nature of the event.
In recent days, the Special Olympics committee has asked to make a presentation to the expert group on this issue and agreement to this request has been granted. The Department's chief medical officer and I met with Dr. Y. E. Kiong, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food of Hong Kong on 20 May 2003 to discuss the expert group's recommendation in relation to the Special Olympics. At Dr. Kiong's request, a teleconference with the expert group and a number of health experts from Hong Kong took place on 21 May 2003. My Department will continue to be in constant communication with the WHO and the Special Olympics committee in relation to the issue of SARS.