Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East and Shadow Minister for Public Health has called on the Scottish Government to outline what precautions are in place for oil and gas workers engaged in countries overseas affected by the Ebola virus when they return to the UK.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“It is welcome that the UK Government have put in place extensive precautions to protect the spread of the Ebola virus.
“The Cabinet Secretary will be aware of recent comments made by Dr Devi Sridhar, senior lecturer in global health policy at Edinburgh University that my home city of Aberdeen is, if Ebola comes to Scotland, 'likely' to be one area most at risk, given its airport and concentration of population.
“As Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is only one of four centres in Scotland with a dedicated infection diseases unit, will he ensure that it receives adequate resources and support should there be a case of Ebola in the North East?
“For those oil and gas workers engaged in countries overseas affected by the Ebola virus there is concern given the prevalence of Ebola in many West African countries and it is important in the interests of public health that they are made aware and present themselves at UK Ebola screening checks when they return to the UK.
“It is also important that oil and gas workers returning from Ebola infected countries are prohibited from going to work on North Sea installations before it can be confirmed that they have not been infected with the virus.
“It is perhaps also important for oil and gas companies to review their protocols and issue additional advice to oil and gas workers.”