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Parliamentary question - E-008154/2014Parliamentary question
E-008154/2014

Preventing the Ebola virus in Europe

Question for written answer E-008154-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Enrico Gasbarra (S&D)

The Health Ministers’ meeting on 16 October provided a useful opportunity to discuss measures to prevent the Ebola virus in Europe, starting with more intensive screening of passengers coming from West Africa. It will be essential to ensure that the screening system, which requires the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to produce assessment reports on operations in African countries, is able to operate flexibly and effectively and that it can quickly be adjusted to keep pace with developments in the spread of the epidemic. The EU ministerial-level meeting did not, however, recommend a common approach to entry screening, which will consequently be implemented in different ways. Every effort should nevertheless be made to reassure Europeans on the question of standard airport procedures. In order to cope with the spread of such a deadly virus, Europe has to show the political will needed to take exceptional measures.

1. What will the Commission do to channel additional funds immediately towards the African countries affected?

2. When it comes to taking the long view, how will it mobilise Horizon 2020 research funding, as a matter of priority, and implement fast-track financing procedures for Ebola research projects, in cooperation with the WHO?