Brussels, 01/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is currently considering whether to set up a working group on the Zika virus. That is what can be seen in the minutes, published on Monday 29 February of the food security committee (HSC) audio-conference of 24 February.
“The HSC discussed the need, proposed by Germany, to create an ad-hoc working group or expert platform on Zika virus in order to prepare HSC decisions, support member state cooperation on risk management, and clarify technical issues, in the light of the mandate of the HSC”, the minutes note. “A further HSC audio meeting on Zika will be convened in the near future. It will discuss terms of reference for a mandate of a possible ad-hoc working group (a draft will be prepared and circulated by DG SANTE in advance of the meeting), Zika surveillance and elements of information to travellers”, they further state.
The European Commission and Germany have refused to comment. Berlin would only confirm that it had made the request, indicating that the creation of such a working group was permitted under Decision 1082/2013/EU on cross-border health threats and HSC procedural rules (Article 2). (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)