Ref. Ares(2022)7238466 - 19/10/2022
STELLA KYRIAKIDES Rue de la Loi, 200
MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION B-1049 Brussels – Berl 10/380
HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
[email protected]
Brussels, 19 October 2022
In light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda, I am writing to you in order to inform about
actions taken so far at European level and to encourage preparedness at national level.
At EU level, the situation is being closely monitored, and as of 17 October 2022, there have
been around 60 confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda, including over 20 deaths.
While the outbreak is currently mainly localised to two regions, and the Ugandan government
is taking public health measures to address it, we cannot exclude the virus spreading to other
areas in Uganda and/or to neighbouring countries.
Building on the lessons learnt from the previous Ebola outbreaks in Africa, we need to be
vigilant and stand ready to jointly activate preparatory and prevention measures, including by
cooperating with Uganda and other potentially affected countries. To facilitate exchange of
information and ensure a coordinated response, an urgent ad hoc Health Security Committee
was held on 12 October and a statement will be adopted this week. The Committee is our key
forum for exchange and we will host weekly meetings to ensure a joint response to this
outbreak. The EU Delegation in Uganda will feed back any relevant information for these
discussions.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), in close collaboration with
the WHO, is closely monitoring the situation through its epidemic intelligence activities. I
would like to underline the necessity for collaboration to reinforce national surveillance
systems and to share data with ECDC in real time. On 12 October, ECDC published
recommendations and precautionary measures for EU/EEA visitors and residents of affected
areas (1).
With regard to medical countermeasures, our Health Emergency preparedness and Response
Authority (HERA) has launched a survey to gather information on Member States' stockpiles
and laboratory capacities.
(1) Ebola outbreak in Uganda under ECDC monitoring (europa.eu)
EU Ministers of Health
Together with the European Medicines Agency, contacts have been established with
developers and producers of relevant medical countermeasures. There are currently no
licensed vaccines to protect against Ebola virus disease caused by the Sudan ebolavirus strain,
and there are no data available on the level of cross-protection from the vaccine against the
Zaire ebolavirus strain. Together with global partners such as the WHO, CEPI and BARDA,
we are therefore working to support clinical trials with candidate vaccines and possibly
treatments in development. Clinical trials for two vaccines could start in Uganda in the
coming weeks pending regulatory and other approvals from the Ugandan government.
Building on the experience of 2014 we will, together with WHO, coordinate medical
evacuations (MEDEVAC) of staff from humanitarian or international organisations if needed.
As always, I count on your contributions and active solidarity should medical evacuations be
required.
According to the ECDC, the current probability that EU/EEA citizens living or travelling in
the affected areas of Uganda will be exposed to the virus is very low, if they adhere to the
recommended precautionary measures. However, I warmly encourage you to call on your
national public health authorities to raise awareness of health professionals on the evolution of
the current outbreak, and on the potential symptoms of Ebola virus disease in returning
travellers, health professionals or humanitarian workers. I would urge you to consider
reviewing your infection prevention and control guidance for suspected Ebola virus disease
cases and revise training materials. Healthcare capacity should be reserved in order ensure
preparedness, including high security clinical treatment units in case a suspected case arrives
in your country. In addition, the revision of testing options and procedures for suspected
Ebola virus disease patients should also be performed as well as up-dating relevant
preparedness plans, as needed.
WHO and ECDC currently advise against any restrictions on travel and/or trade to Uganda,
recommending a strong focus on exit screening in countries of origin. I invite you to inform
us through the Health Security Committee if your countries would be ready to support
possible exit screening support actions with experts, resources, material etc. In view of the
current situation in Uganda and the dangerous nature of the Ebola virus, together we must
remain vigilant, coordinated and united in order to ensure both the safety of EU citizens and
to provide the necessary assistance should that become necessary.
I would like to thank you warmly once more for your strong and continued cooperation to
tackle another significant public health challenge.
Yours sincerely,
2
Electronically signed on 19/10/2022 10:25 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121
Tiiu Noobel
From: Agne Nettan-Sepp
Sent: kolmapäev, 19. oktoober 2022 11:23
To:
[email protected]; Elen Ohov (SoM); Triin Uusberg (SoM)
Cc: Tiiu Noobel; Algis Kokka
Subject: FW: Letter from EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides to the EU Ministers of Health -
Ebola outbreak in Uganda
Attachments: Cover letter.pdf; Registered letter.pdf
Importance: High
Tere,
Edastan voliniku kirja palvega see saata ministrile. Teemaks ebola levik Ugandas ja sellega seoses EL tegevused.
Tervitades
Agne
Agne Nettan-Sepp
Permanent Representation of Estonia to
the EU
Counsellor for Health Affairs
+32 2227 3926 | +32 491 992 799
Rue Guimard 11/13 | 1040 Brussels
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From: CASSAR Christian <
[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2022 10:47 AM
To:
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[email protected]; Marten Kokk
<
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Cc: ROSSIDES Giorgos <
[email protected]>; VON BUXHOEVEDEN Daphne <Daphne.VON-
[email protected]>; PANDOLFI ELMI Giulia <
[email protected]>;
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[email protected]; Esindus EL juures üldaadress <
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Subject: Letter from EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides to the EU Ministers of Health - Ebola outbreak in Uganda
Importance: High
Your Excellencies,
Please find attached a letter from Ms Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety addressed to
the EU Ministers of Health, concerning the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
Kind Regards,
Christian Cassar
Assistant
European Commission
Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides
Health and Food Safety
Rue de la Loi 200, BERL 10/390
B-1049 Brussels/Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 29 88690
Email:
[email protected]
2
Peep Peterson
Tervise- ja tööminister 19.10.2022
nr 10.1-13/1068-1
Sotsiaalministeerium
Austatud minister
Edastame Teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Stella Kyriakidese 19.10.2022 kirja nr
Ares(2022)7238466 (ebola levik Ugandas).
Lugupidamisega
Marten Kokk
Esinduse asejuht Coreper I küsimustes
Lisa: voliniku kiri 2 lk
Tiiu Noobel +32 2227 4337
[email protected]
Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brüssel Tel: +32 2 227 39 10
[email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee/et/