A STRATEGY is in place in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in Ireland it has been revealed.
It comes in the wake of the World Health Organisation’s decision to classify the viral outbreak that started in China as a public health emergency of “international concern”.
Speaking to RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, the chief medical officer at the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan confirmed a strategy is in place should any cases emerge.
"Early detection and prevention of spread of the virus are the key components of the Department of Health’s plans to combat the coronavirus," he explained.
The initial advice for any person who feels sick or thinks they may be infected is to isolate themselves. This will help to reduce the risk of transmission.
The public are being told to keep a close eye out for symptoms like a high temperature, cough or shortness of breath.
Coronavirus can be transmitted during the incubation period of anywhere up to 14 days.
In order for someone to fall into the category of being “suspicion of a suspected case”, they must not only be exhibiting the symptoms listed above but should also have a travel history of having arrived back from the Wuhan region of China in the last 14 days or so.
Alternatively, they may have had contact with someone who was recently in that specific area of the Far East.
In the majority of cases, self-isolation will remedy the problem, allowing the infected individual to ride out the worst of the virus without infecting others.
However, in the event that the condition worsens further, the public are advised to contact their doctor by phone.
At this point, the health authorities in Ireland may choose to intervene.
“If basic preventative procedures are put in place, they are effective,” Dr Holohan explained.
All health professionals, doctors, hospitals and GPs have been provided with detailed with information on what to do in the event of seeing a potential case.
And while all hospitals in Ireland are equipped with masks, the HSE is also working to ensure there are sufficient masks for health professionals, in the event of a prolonged outbreak affecting Ireland.
Though coronavirus is a new threat, the HSE is well versed in preparing for issues of this kind, having previously contended with viral outbreaks like the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) of 2002-2003.
In the meantime, the National Public Health Emergency Team is continuing to monitor the situation and the international response to it via the European Centre for disease control and the World Health Organisation.
It insists Ireland is well-positioned to detect and respond to any case.
There have been no confirmed cases in Ireland.
