Brussels, 7 May. (LaPresse) – 'Further discussions will take place tomorrow to discuss and define quarantine protocols and guidelines. In addition, the Commission, Spain and the Netherlands will also participate in a meeting of the Global Health Security Initiative to coordinate with G7 members who have citizens on board the vessel." European Health Commission spokeswoman Eva Hrcinova said this after today's meeting of the Health Safety Committee with all countries whose citizens are aboard the Hondius cruise ship, where a Hantavirus outbreak has spread. Today's meeting, hosted by the Commission, was attended by Member States' health and civil protection authorities with the aim of providing the latest updates on the situation and ensuring good coordination on issues such as return, quarantine guidelines and risk communication. For its part, the European Executive reported that Spain had activated the civil protection mechanism and that any Member State could request transport capacity, medical evacuation or medical supplies. Member States can also offer transport capacity and the Commission will therefore coordinate the involvement of the minimum number of aircraft. Instead, the Ecdc presented its threat assessment report and rapid advice for handling passengers at the point of entry, and also reported on the findings of the expert currently on board the cruise ship. "Protecting public health," the spokeswoman recalls, "remains the Commission's top priority. We continue to be vigilant, to monitor the situation closely and to work in close coordination with all the authorities of the Member States concerned, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), to ensure a rapid and effective response at every stage."
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