EU preparedness in the face of the outbreak of the new Chinese coronavirus

23.1.2020

Priority question for written answer P-000392/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
César Luena (S&D), Javi López (S&D), Nicolás González Casares (S&D), Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro (S&D)

It has been confirmed that the new Chinese coronavirus can spread via human transmission. Some 17 people have died from the virus, hundreds have been infected, and the first cases have now appeared outside China, with increased numbers of tourists in the country over the coming weeks for the Chinese New Year celebrations. The World Health Organisation is sure to declare a public health emergency and there is widespread international concern. All this means that Europe’s health authorities must be prepared to deal with the coronavirus if it reaches Europe.

What action is being taken in the EU to prepare for the arrival of the coronavirus in Europe, which is more than likely, and the threat of a pandemic (e.g. masks, airport checks, exceptional measures at EU airports as regards direct flights to Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic, detection technology, diagnostic testing, clinical protocols, the preparation of clinical facilities and diagnostics labs, recommendations to Member States, etc.)?

Have funds already been earmarked with a view to developing a vaccine against the virus, given that there is no vaccine at the moment?

Are there suspicions that anyone in the EU has been infected?