Written question WQ94429
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 3 days
Question
What measures and preparedness plans does the Welsh Government have in place to address potential outbreaks of the Marburg virus?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The World Health Organisation declared an outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Rwanda on 27 September. Case numbers in Rwanda have continued to increase but there have been no cases outside of Rwanda detected or declared.
MVD is classed as a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID). The Welsh Government is working with Public Health Wales (PHW), the UK Health Security Agency, other governments in the UK and the NHS on preparedness plans to deal with any potential importation of a HCID to the UK. This includes MVD.
The risk to the UK population from the current outbreak of MVD in Rwanda is considered to be low but it may be higher for British nationals in Rwanda who have contact with healthcare settings. Preparedness work to ensure there are appropriate evacuation plans in place for British nationals should these be needed is ongoing. Border measures for travellers returning to the UK are also in train.