Vol. 453 No. 6
44 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, that are being taken to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus to this country; if closing our borders to Zairean and other mid-African nationals was contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9737/95]
Limerick East): In consultation with the Departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs, all Irish Embassies and Consulates have been advised that visa applications from nationals of Zaire, or persons who have recently been in Zaire, will only be processed where medical certification is produced certifying that the applicant has not been in contact with the Ebola virus.
A copy of the World Health Organisation's press release of 17 May 1995 has been circulated to immigration officers at our ports. Any person arriving in the State having been recently in Zaire and showing symptoms of the disease will be referred for medical examination before being given leave to land in the State.
Other persons leaving Zaire are advised to notify a doctor immediately if an illness develops during a period of three weeks from the departure date.
