The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is caused by Ebola Virus (EBOV) (formerly Zaire ebolavirus), first discovered in 1976. There is no evidence to suggest that the current strain of EBOV has a higher rate of transmissibility or an unusual level of pathogenicity compared with previous strains.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Department continues to work with colleagues across government to monitor and assess the risk posed to the United Kingdom by the current Ebola epidemic. The advice from the Chief Medical Officer is that the public health risk in the UK remains low, but this risk assessment is kept under regular review.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-17T14:27:38.66Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the strain of the ebola virus responsible for the recent outbreak, and whether it is a novel mutated strain of the virus.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/621", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Moonie"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Moonie"} ], "uin" : "HL2535"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101727", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101727/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Ebola is spread through body fluid secretions directly and as stated in the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens guidance, United Kingdom experts agree there is no circumstantial or epidemiological evidence of an aerosol transmission risk.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The Public Health England document Guidance Ebola: origins, reservoirs, transmission, guidelines<\/em> clarifies this in more detail:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ebola-origins-reservoirs-transmission-and-guidelines<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-17T14:29:35.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the likelihood of the aerosol transmission of the ebola virus.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/621", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Moonie"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Moonie"}
], "uin" : "HL2536"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101567", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101567/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In addition to departure screening in affected countries, entry screening has been introduced for people travelling to the United Kingdom from Ebola infected areas. This also provides them with clear advice about immediate actions should they develop any relevant symptoms.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> There are already public health powers in place to enable the quarantining of an individual suffering from the symptoms of Ebola should they be needed.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Government keeps the threat posed to the UK by the spread of Ebola virus disease, and the measures required to tackle it, under regular review.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3918", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jane Ellison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jane Ellison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T15:23:28.1786028Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what contingency plans the Government is making for quarantine procedures for people entering the UK from countries where the Ebola virus is present in the event of a further spread of that virus.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4079", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Sturdy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Outer"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Julian Sturdy"}
], "uin" : "212378"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101568", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101568/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department of Health is collaborating with a number of Government Departments, Agencies and non-governmental organisation partners to provide support and screening to health service volunteers assisting with the Ebola crisis in West Africa. This work is being managed by the Department for International Development in conjunction with UK Med.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> UK Med run the UK International Emergency Medical<\/em>, of UK surgeons, anaesthetists, emergency physicians/nurses and other supporting medical, nursing and paramedical staff. They ensure that those who volunteer for this programme of work are appropriately trained, prepared and accountable.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The programme comprises a robust selection process, pre-deployment preparations and occupational health and psychological screening, training in the United Kingdom with further training and mentoring in Sierra Leone, and advice and support from Public Health England on monitoring health on return.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3918", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jane Ellison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jane Ellison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T17:33:34.9442577Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support and screening facilities his Department has provided for health service volunteers assisting with the Ebola virus crisis in West Africa.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "212400"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101316", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101316/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Cabinet Office continues to work with colleagues across government to monitor and assess the risk posed to the UK by the current Ebola epidemic. The advice from the Chief Medical Officer is that the public health risk in the UK remains low.<\/p> I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 13 October 2014.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/247", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Oliver Letwin"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Dorset"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Oliver Letwin"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T17:09:20.6617097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has carried out a risk assessment of the threat posed to the UK by the Ebola epidemic.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4036", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luciana Berger"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Liverpool, Wavertree"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luciana Berger"}
], "uin" : "212358"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101414", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101414/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department continues to work with colleagues across government to monitor and assess the risk posed to the United Kingdom by the current Ebola epidemic. The advice from the Chief Medical Officer is that the public health risk in the UK remains low.<\/p> <\/p> I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt) on 13 October 2014, Official Report, columns 28-30.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3918", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jane Ellison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jane Ellison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-04T16:39:39.6089336Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has carried out a risk assessment of the threat posed to the UK by the Ebola epidemic.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4036", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luciana Berger"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Liverpool, Wavertree"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luciana Berger"}
], "uin" : "212364"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101480", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101480/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As part of the UK\u2019s £205 million commitment to the Ebola response, £20 million has been pledged to the UN Ebola Multi-Partner Trust Fund, in response to the UN\u2019s call for almost $1 billion to tackle the crisis.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1555", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justine Greening"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Putney"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justine Greening"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-03T11:37:27.7274494Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much the UK has (a) pledged for and (b) deposited in the UN Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund; and how much such funds represent as a proportion of the amount requested by the UN.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
], "uin" : "212269"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101141", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101141/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Public Health England (PHE) are reviewing the details of the guidance recently published by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify any elements of good practice that should be considered for introduction into the United Kingdom. Initial reviews of the information that we have received so far suggest that the CDC and PHE guidance are functionally comparable.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3918", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jane Ellison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jane Ellison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-30T17:11:50.5706258Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the decision by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to tighten infection control guidance for US healthcare settings, what steps he has taken to revise guidance for health workers on caring for patients for Ebola.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4036", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luciana Berger"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Liverpool, Wavertree"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luciana Berger"}
], "uin" : "212037"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101151", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101151/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Symptoms of Ebola can emerge at any time up to 21 days after exposure to the virus and there is therefore a chance that an individual may be well on their return to the United Kingdom, but then subsequently develop symptoms.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> As part of the entry screening process all returning travellers, including health care workers, humanitarian care workers and any other returnees from an affected country, who have been involved in any activities involving contact with cases of Ebola, will receive information about Ebola symptoms and what to do in the event of becoming unwell.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The screening programme is a valuable point of reassurance that we have met with returning health and humanitarian care workers, and assessed requirements to monitor and support them. Those with any particular risks will be actively monitored for a 21 day period.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3918", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jane Ellison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jane Ellison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-30T17:08:14.740156Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of post-arrival monitoring of travellers whose travel originated from countries affected by the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4036", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luciana Berger"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Liverpool, Wavertree"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luciana Berger"}
], "uin" : "212055"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101152", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101152/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Screening is being carried out by Public Health England health protection practitioners (HPPs), with supervision from health protection consultants. The HPPs are supported by administrative staff for the collation of the health assessment forms, prior to the risk categorisation.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> There is a clear evidence-based algorithm to follow for screening staff at ports. All of the screening staff members have had specific training on the guidelines. In addition, screening staff have also received a briefing (either face-to-face or in the form of a video) on the use of personal protective equipment, and have been trained in the correct use of a tympanic thermometer.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> We have a planned programme of continuous quality improvement, incorporating learning to date from early implementation of the screening programme.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3918", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jane Ellison"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Battersea"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jane Ellison"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-30T17:13:23.0833115Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ebola"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what staff have been designated to carry out the screening of passengers travelling from Ebola-affected countries; and what specific training such staff have received.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4036", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luciana Berger"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Liverpool, Wavertree"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luciana Berger"}
], "uin" : "212054"}
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