Varadkar Urged To Outline Govt Response To Ebola Outbreak

The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, has been urged to outline the contingency public health response the Government is putting in place given the increasing number of global cases of Ebola.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health, Billy Kelleher, has called on Minister Varadkar to engage with his European counterparts and produce a contingency response to the growing health crisis.

"In light of the fact that more than 50 people in Spain are now under observation for Ebola there is an urgent need for EU authorities to outline the contingency plan for more confirmed cases in Europe," he said. "EPSCO, the Employment, Social Protection, Health and Consumer Council of Ministers is meeting in Luxembourg next week and I believe Ireland should put this issue high on the agenda.

"I would urge Minister Leo Varadkar to engage with the HSE and the Chief Medical Officer and detail the preparations Ireland is taking and the contingency plan we will have in the event of more cases being confirmed throughout Europe."

Mr Kelleher continued: "I appreciate the fact that most of the deaths from Ebola have occurred in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia but given the fact that there is now an exposure within the EU and given the rate of free moment and travel in Europe the Government should be forthcoming with information for the public.

"I am concerned by the comments today from a senior WHO adviser that more cases of Ebola should be expected among frontline health workers who have treated victims. As well as providing information for the public at large here the Minister and the HSE should be transmitting specific details to healthcare professionals in the event of any possible cases of the virus here."

(MH/JP)