HC Deb 09 March 1995 vol 256 c321W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been carried out into human health risks associated with Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Mr. Sackville

Some limited studies of transmission and seroprevalence have been undertaken where cases have occurred in Africa. Responses to infection with Ebola, Marburg and other filoviruses have been studied in primates and cross protection studies using other filoviruses in animal models have also been undertaken. Improved diagnostic tests are currently under development.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what contingency plans are available in the event of an outbreak of Ebola or Marburg viruses in the United Kingdom;

(2) what facilities are available to quarantine persons potentially infected with Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Mr. Sackville

There are no special contingency plans to deal with an outbreak of Ebola or Marburg viruses. These viruses have shown very limited potential for spread outside endemic areas. There are powers available to local authorities in the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 over people, premises and property to control the spread of communicable disease. We do continue to take a cautious approach and recommend strict precautions for personnel dealing with definite or suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever to prevent any possibility of spread. The Department of Health funds high security infectious disease units for the treatment of patients with viral haemorrhagic fever, although no case has been seen in the United Kingdom for about 10 years. These viruses appear to have a limited capacity for spread within the human population and the need for a vaccine for use in the UK has not been established.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have taken place with German and American health agencies relating to outbreaks of filovirus infection in these countries.

Mr. Sackville

There have been no recent discussions with any overseas Governments on filovirus infections. The outbreak in Germany occurred in 1967 and the outbreak in the United States of America occurred in 1989.