Milan, 23/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The risk of the spread of the Ebola virus to the European Union is slight, reassured Health Commissioner Tonio Borg in Milan on 23 September following the informal Health Council meeting. The member states cannot, however, allow themselves to become complacent and must remain fully ready to react in the event of contamination in Europe, he added.
The message from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been received, note has been taken of the latest developments of the disease and how to put up barriers to prevent its wider spread, as the disease continues to grow in West Africa, added Italian Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin who chaired the discussions, alluding to the high-level conference in Brussels last week.
The Ebola epidemic was a last minute addition to the discussions of the informal Health Council in Milan, the worrying spread of the virus in Africa having forced the Italian Presidency of the Council to include it in the agenda (see EUROPE 11160). The ministers present and Commissioner Borg ruled out any “imminent” threat of the virus reaching the EU. Any person suffering from the disease is unable to travel, airports have put in place strict checking procedures to detect any possible contaminated travellers, the disease is contagious only under very specific conditions and European countries have very high standards of hygiene, stated Borg.
The countries of Europe nonetheless remain vigilant and are prepared for any eventuality. As part of EU action to combat serious cross-border threats to health, the Health Security Committee, an informal coordination body, is currently monitoring, at European level, the creation of a network of laboratory tests to detect any appearance of the virus. Those member states which do not have the means to put in place tests of this sort will be given assistance through cooperation with other EU countries, said the commissioner. In addition, the member states have agreed to set up a network of centres where people suffering from the virus can be treated. European medical staff sent to West Africa must have a solid guarantee that, if they contract the virus, they will be repatriated to Europe and will receive the full battery of care needed for their treatment, added Borg. He said that these measures would help respond to the WHO call for greater coordination across the globe.
Lorenzin announced that a major global meeting of all competent ministers would be held shortly to discuss the humanitarian commitment required in the countries affected. “There was unanimous agreement on enhancing coordination of our efforts. (…) This will happen in full respect for the sovereignty of the member states in this area”, she stated. Borg spoke of the initiative already launched by Commissioners Andris Piebalgs and Kristalina Georgieva in terms of humanitarian aid for the countries hit by the virus. The EU has dug deep in responding to the epidemic, providing €140 million through various funds, particularly the European development fund, to bring aid to the people on the ground. Three mobile laboratories have been set up and money has been invested in long-term projects, he pointed out, stating that it was essential that the affected countries in Africa continue to receive aid. These countries' health systems “are not strong enough to deal with such an emergency”, he said.
Referring to the local people's ignorance of how the virus is spread (via body fluids), Lorenzin stressed the urgent need for information for local populations to back up the health support on the ground, which remains crucial. (IL)