Dáil to hear of Ebola plans; pathologists warned against post mortems on victims
The Dáil's Health Committee is to hear this morning what preparations are in place to deal with any threat from Ebola here.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and the HSE's chief medical officer Tony Holohan will address TDs and Senators on ways the health service could deal with a potential outbreak.
The Irish Medical Organisation met HSE officials last night to discuss contingency plans.
Committee chairman Jerry Buttimer said it was important "that people’s fears about a potential outbreak of the virus are allayed and calmed".
Meanwhile, Irish pathologists have been told by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre not to carry out a post mortem on anyone who has died from the Ebola virus.
If a diagnosis of Ebola has not been confirmed in a deceased person, doctors have been asked to consult the National Isolation Unit in Dublin's Mater Hospital before proceeding with a post mortem.
The guidelines warn Ebola can be transmitted in post mortem care settings in different ways. These include:
* Through splashes of blood or other body fluids such as urine, saliva, faeces to unprotected eyes, mouth or nose, which occur during post-mortem care;
* By laceration and puncture with contaminated instruments used during post-mortem care;
* Through direct handling of human remains without appropriate personal protective equipment.
Only personnel trained in handling infected human remains and wearing a protective suit should touch or move Ebola-infected remains, the Centre warned.
