Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team - First meeting of the Expert Advisory Group takes place
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 5 February 2020
- Last updated on: 6 February 2020
The first meeting of the Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group took place today, at the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), in Dublin 1.
This is a sub group of the National Public Health Emergency Team which has been meeting regularly in response to novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
The Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Dr Cillian de Gascun, Laboratory Director at the National Virus Reference Laboratory is a multidisciplinary group with experts from all relevant specialities.
Speaking on the establishment of the Expert Advisory Group, Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, said:
“The Expert Advisory Group will monitor and review national and international research and developments in relation to Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and provide expert advice to the National Public Health Emergency Team, the Health Service Executive and others, as appropriate.
“It is important to note that the Group is made up of experts from across the disciplines bringing their multifaceted expertise to bear on Ireland’s ongoing preparedness.”
Dr Cillian de Gascun, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group, said:
“The Expert Advisory Group will play a key role in reviewing current advice and guidance on 2019-nCoV preparedness and response, identify gaps, and provide clear, evidence-based expert advice on preparedness and response to the National Public Health Emergency Team."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
To date, there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ireland.
Ireland is well positioned to detect and respond to a case of novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that might arise here.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website is updated daily at 1.00pm with the latest information about the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Requests for Interview to press_office@health.gov.ie
Expert Advisory Group Membership
| Dr Cillian de Gascun | Chair, Director NVRL, Consultant Virologist |
| Dr Ronan Glynn | Deputy CMO, DOH |
| Dr Vida Hamilton | National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead, Acute Hosptials, HSE |
| Dr Joanne O’Gorman | Consultant Microbiologist |
| Dr Colman O’ Loughlin | Consultant Intensive Care Medicine |
| Dr Gerard O’Connor | Consultant Emergency Medicine |
| Dr Aurelie Fabre | Consultant Pathologist |
| Dr David Hanlon | HSE National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Primary Care |
| Dr Derval Igoe | Consultant Public Health Medicine, NVRL/HPSC |
| Dr John Cuddihy | Director, Health Protection Surveillance Centre |
| Dr Aoife Cotter | Consultant Infectious Diseases, National Isolation Unit |
| Prof Colm Bergin | Consultant Infectious Diseases |
| Prof Martin Cormican | National Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) |
| Ms Josephine Galway | Director of Nursing for infection control, HSE |
| Dr Jeanette McCallion | Health Products Regulatory Authority |
| Dr Jeff Connell | Head of Testing, UCD NVRL |
| Prof Karina Butler | Chair, National Immunisation Advisory Committee, Consultant Paediatric ID |
| Dr Margaret O’ Sullivan | Chair, National Zoonoses Committee, Consultant Public Health Medicine |
| TBC | Consultant in Occupational Health Medicine |
| TBC | Patient Representative |
| TBC | Consultant Respiratory Physician |