§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions are being held with the World Health Organisation on the subject of controlling the spread of the Ebola virus; and if she will make a statement. [26677]
§ Mr. MaloneMy officials met officials from the World Health Organisation on 10 May 1995 following the first report earlier that day of the outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever due to Ebola virus in Zaire, to obtain information about the outbreak and its extent, and the measures being taken to identify the cause and control the spread of infection. They have been in regular contact since then. The outbreak was confirmed by WHO on 11 May.
On 11 May, the chief medical officer informed all directors of public health about the outbreak and provided extensive advice, copied to consultants in communicable disease, about Ebola virus infection and the measures required to manage any suspected cases and control the spread of infection. Information and advice was sent by the public health laboratory service on the same day to consultants in communicable disease control, regional epidemiologists and its laboratory directors.
On 12 May, updated information and advice was sent to consultants in communicable disease and copied to port health authority medical officers and directors of public health.
Further information and advice were distributed on 18 and 19 May. The distribution list was extended to include sea and airport authorities and infectious disease physicians. Directors of public health were asked to cascade the information to general practitioners, accident and emergency departments and nurses working in the community.
There has been no case of Ebola virus infection in the United Kingdom since the outbreak in Zaire was reported.