Paul McGrath
Ceist:360 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures which have been put in place to monitor the persons returning from areas abroad where SARS outbreaks have been confirmed. [13043/03]
Written Answers. - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:361 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in context of the danger of the SARS virus, any hospital has been identified to provide isolated facilities for possible or confirmed cases of SARS; if so, the name of same; the protocol for medical personnel who have to treat such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13044/03]
Paul McGrath
Ceist:362 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings he has had with the Special Olympics Committee to discuss the forthcoming games and the possible health checks for incoming athletes in the context of the SARS outbreak in many countries. [13045/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 to 362, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, I established an expert group in mid March 2003 to advise me concerning SARS-related matters. This group meets regularly and continues to monitor the situation.
Persons travelling to Ireland from a SARS-affected area 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. Advertisements to this effect have been prominently displayed in the national newspapers on a number of occasions since the end of March 2003. 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 www.doh.ie.
In addition, my Department strongly advises individuals not to travel to the following SARS-affected regions: China; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; and Singapore. 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 interviewed by a health care worker to assess whether they have any of the symptoms of SARS or have had any contact with a probable or suspect case.
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 (www.doh.ie). A large amount of other relevant information in relation to SARS has also been placed on my Department's 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 – ports and Enterprise train line. It is estimated that circa 100,000 leaflets per day will be distributed through these channels. Public announcements are also being made on incoming flights and ferries. 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.
I have met with the Special Olympics Committee on one occasion in recent weeks to discuss matters in relation to SARS. The chief medical officer of my Department has met with the Committee on three occasions, most recently on 9 May 2003, and continues to liaise with them on a regular basis. The matter is under consideration by the expert group. Assistance in relation to this issue has been received from the World Health Organisation. It is hoped that a decision in relation to the Special Olympics will be reached by mid-May. 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.
Questions Nos. 363 to 369, inclusive, withdrawn.