92003E1286

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1286/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 March 2003)

Subject: Smallpox danger

How does the Commission view the danger of a possible smallpox attack?

What countermeasures has the Commission taken, or will it take?

Do preventive measures exist at European level?

Can a Member State be required to take preventive measures?

Would the Commission state its position on these questions?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2003)

The risk of a smallpox outbreak, through a deliberate introduction of the variola major virus, responsible for smallpox, cannot be excluded.

Counter-measures to prevent and mitigate the consequences of such outbreaks are the responsibility of Member States. Since the bioterrorist attacks in the United States in September 2001 and October 2001, the Member States have taken measures to strengthen their preparedness and response capability with regard to smallpox.

Member States are required to notify disease outbreaks and unusual epidemiological situations to the Commission pursuant to Decision No 2119/98/EC of the Parliament and of the Council setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community(1). A further Commission Decision has been proposed adding variola major to Commission Decision 2002/253/EC of 19 March 2002 laying down case definitions for reporting communicable diseases to the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the Parliament and of the Council(2).

In addition, the Commission, as indicated in its Communications on 28 November 2001 on Civil protection: state of preventive alert against possible emergencies(3) and on 11 June 2002 on Civil Protection Progress made in implementing the programme for preparedness for possible emergencies(4), is co-operating closely with the Member States to enhance their preparedness and response not only to smallpox but also other threats from (deliberate release of) chemical, biological and radio-nuclear (CBRN) agents. It has launched a series of co-ordinated actions across the civil protection, health, enterprise (pharmaceuticals), research, nuclear and transport and energy fields.

Finally, the Commission has joined efforts with the Council in inventorying measures and actions across Union policies to face up to CBRN terrorist threats and setting up the strategic objectives for future action. These are set out in the joint programme, agreed on 20 December 2002(5), to improve co-operation in the Union for preventing and limiting the consequences of such threats.

(1) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998.

(2) OJ L 86, 3.4.2002.

(3) COM(2001) 707 final.

(4) COM(2002) 302 final.

(5) Council Document 14627/02.