Finian McGrath
Question:283 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether it was an error of judgment to ban athletes with disabilities from visiting this country for the Special Olympics 2003. [14407/03]
Written Answers. - SARS Epidemic.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:323 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if travel restrictions are likely to be imposed with a view to preventing the spread of the SARS virus to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14434/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:324 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps which have been taken to prevent, isolate or treat the SARS flu virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14435/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:328 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to the total number of SARS cases probable, possible or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:330 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that adequate safeguards exist to contain and combat an outbreak of SARS here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14441/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 323, 324, 328 and 330 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 24 May 2003, a cumulative total of 8,141 probable SARS cases with 696 deaths have been reported internationally to the World Health Organisation. To date there has only been one probable case of SARS in Ireland; the individual concerned has made a full recovery.
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. This group continues to meet on a regular basis. The group consists of experts from public health and related fields as well as two consultants in infectious diseases and two consultant microbiologists.
One of the issues considered in depth by the expert group was the Special Olympics. Having considered all of the available options, the expert group recommended 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. This decision was not taken lightly. I considered the expert group's decision at length. I then discussed the matter with the Taoiseach. Both 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 that this has caused. Clearly, having asked an expert group of professionals to assess and make a recommendation, it would be wrong to ignore their advice and medical knowledge. 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.
Persons travelling to Ireland from areas with recent local transmission of SARS are advised to monitor their health for ten days following their departure from an affected area. If they develop any of the symptoms of SARS they should seek medical advice urgently and advise the relevant medical practitioner that they have recently been in an affected area. Advice to this effect has been prominently displayed in the national newspapers on a number of occasions since the end of March 2003. Radio advertisements are being run regularly taking into account the most recent information from the expert group in relation to SARS. Specific travel advice and guidelines have been developed by the expert group for members of the public as well as for teachers, students and health care workers. These guidelines are available on my Department's website at www.doh.ie.
In addition, my Department strongly advises individuals not to travel to the following SARS affected regions: China and Taiwan. Passengers intending to transit through airports in the affected areas should consider using an alternative route where possible. This advice is being reviewed regularly and may change. Since the incubation period of SARS can be up to ten days, general registration or health controls, that is, screening at ports of arrival in Ireland, are of little value. On the contrary, they may give the public a false sense of security. This is in line with expert advice received from the World Health Organisation and the European Union's communicable disease network committee. Instead, the WHO recommends that persons departing from an affected area should be screened prior to departure.
Protocols and guidance for hospitals and health professionals which describe the syndrome and provide advice on how suspect cases should be managed have been developed. The relevant guidelines and protocols have been circulated to medical practitioners. This material is reviewed and updated by the expert group and the most up-to-date information is also available on my Department's website at www.doh.ie. A large amount of other relevant information in relation to SARS has also been placed on that website including a frequently asked questions document which should help to inform the public and to address public concerns. This information is updated on an ongoing basis.
Recommendations have been made by the expert group as to the nature of the public information which should be made available in relation to SARS. Arrangements have been put in place to give effect to these recommendations and, early in the process, information was made available by way of notices in airports to alert travellers to the issue. This effort was expanded recently and, with effect from Monday, 28 April 2003, arrangements were made to hand out information leaflets on all incoming flights to Ireland and at other points of entry, such as ports and Enterprise trainline. Public announcements are also being made on incoming flights and ferries as well as radio announcements. SARS information desks have been set up at arrival terminals in all airports and ferry ports. A national SARS freephone information line, 1800 45 45 00, has been set up with effect from 28 April 2003.
The World Health Organisation has laid down guidelines in relation to the isolation and accommodation facilities required for the management of probable SARS patients in an in-patient setting. These are, in descending order of preference, negative pressure rooms, single rooms with their own bathroom facilities and cohort placement of patients in a dedicated area. My Department has been advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards that there is considerable response capacity in place which satisfies the WHO guidelines.