Advice on the arrival of ships from affected countries is being provided from the Department for Transport to Public Health England (PHE). PHE working through its local centres and in conjunction with local authorities and port authorities is determining on a case by case basis the required approach to each ship\u2019s arrival. Important considerations are transit time from port in affected country (anything over 21 days is outside the incubation period for Ebola) and an understanding of the potential exposure of the crew. Maritime Declarations of Health are required routinely from ships arriving in United Kingdom ports which provide advance assurance of the health status of their crews. Notwithstanding this, local public health professionals are available to make proportionate assessments of arriving ship\u2019s crews in order to determine any risk to public health and as required, any further follow up actions.<\/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" : "2014-11-17T12:14:53.41Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-03", "_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 general advice and notice of suspect ships they give to port health authorities, customs, immigration and pilots who run the risk of coming into contact with infection on a ship which has recently visited West African ports where ebola is in evidence.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3526", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Berkeley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Berkeley"} ], "uin" : "HL2578"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101726", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101726/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
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/101728", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101728/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All National Health Service trusts and providers of independent healthcare and adult social care in England are required to comply with The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice for health and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance <\/em>(2009). This includes standards around infection control provision. A copy is available at:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216227/dh_123923.pdf<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Care Quality Commission takes this code into account when making decisions about the registration of a provider.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Those NHS trusts that have been designated as having specialist infection control facilities (Royal Free Hospital London, Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital and Sheffield Teaching Hospital) are subject to additional checks. In line with the requirements set out under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), the designated person from Health and Safety Executive\u2019s Biological Agents Unit Hazardous Installations has visited each of the units and continues to work closely with them.<\/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" : "2014-11-17T14:29:02.057Z", "_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 whether an independent audit has been carried out of the isolation procedures and practical skills of staff in National Health Service hospitals designated to treat any ebola patients.", "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" : "HL2537"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101907", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101907/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has put in place enhanced screening and monitoring at the United Kingdom\u2019s main ports of entry for people travelling from the affected Ebola regions.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The risk of transmission occurring within the community in the UK is, and remains very low due to the range of robust measures that have been put in place including screening. However, we keep the screening programme under regular review and will take into account any significant changes in the factors underpinning this assessment.<\/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" : "2014-11-05T16:17:22.7562394Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-30", "_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 plans his Department has to introduce further measures at airports to prevent the spread of Ebola to the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ribble Valley"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Nigel Evans"}
], "uin" : "212791"}
, {"_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/100595", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100595/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The report makes a number of assumptions, including that exit screening procedures were not in place in the major affected countries. Since the report was published in August exit screening in the three most affected countries is now in place.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Screening is now in operation in Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester airports and at St Pancras (Eurostar). The purpose of screening is to identify, and give advice to, passengers coming from high risk areas who will be spending time in the United Kingdom. This is to provide them with relevant advice on the nature of the virus, what to be aware of, and what action to take should they begin to display any symptoms.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T15:52:37.8651805Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-22", "_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 research report by the Keenan Research Centre at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto which estimates that three ebola carriers fly out of the most affected countries each month and that their preferred destination is London; and whether they have any plans to further increase ebola testing at airports.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"}
], "uin" : "HL2332"}
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