Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 3

Written Answers. - Public Health Issues.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

162 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has discussed with his EU counterparts the various precautions undertaken by EU member states to prevent the spread of the SARS virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14875/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Given the communicability of the SARS virus and the propensity for air travel in the world population, the containment of the international spread of the virus from those regions affected is a priority for the WHO, the EU Commission and member states.

The Greek Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers arranged an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Health Ministers on 6 May in Brussels so that member states and the Commission could exchange views with each other as well as be briefed by the World Health Organisation, WHO, on the latest developments world-wide regarding the virus. I participated in that meeting, which led to Council conclusions that included an undertaking by Council to review the situation and developments at its June meeting. I also participated in the Council meeting of the 2 June in Luxembourg, which included a discussion on SARS.

At the June meeting, member states, in Council, agreed that the network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Union had provided a very effective basis for the rapid exchange of information within the EU and for a co-ordinated response. The Council recalled that the application of health protection measures falls to the authorities of the member states, and confirmed the benefits of effective co-ordination of such measures through the network committee.

Member states endorsed the approach proposed by the network committee on future steps, including: the rapid detection of all suspect cases of SARS through good surveillance; the protection of those at risk of infection from the cases through effective isolation of SARS patients in hospitals, including measures to protect carers; that particular attention be paid to air travel, which has been an important factor in the spread of SARS, notably through standardised screening of passengers leaving affected areas, onboard advice to passengers and effective information at ports of entry from affected areas; and the importance of raising awareness among professionals and the public and the timely and accurate reporting and sharing of information with other countries, in particular EEA-EFTA countries, acceding and candidate countries and with the WHO. It was also noted that co-operation should also be developed with other partners, such as airline companies.

The Deputy will be aware of the steps which have been taken in this country by my Department working in close partnership with the expert group on SARS which I established, the National Disease Surveillance Centre, the health boards and the ERHA.