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BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union ought to think about instantly scaling up genomic sequencing of COVID-19 infections and monitoring of waste water, together with from airports, to detect any new variants given the virus surge in China, the bloc’s well being chief mentioned.
In a letter to well being ministers of the EU’s 27 members, Stella Kyriakides mentioned the bloc ought to be “very vigilant” as China lifted journey restrictions on Jan. 8 as dependable epidemiological and testing information for China had been fairly scarce.
Kyriakides suggested ministers within the letter, which was reviewed by Reuters, to evaluate their present practices on genomic sequencing of the coronavirus “as a direct step”.
If sequencing had been scaled down, nations would possibly need to think about scaling it again up, she wrote, including that it was necessary to proceed or begin surveillance of waste water, together with sewage from key airports.
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If a brand new variant appeared, the bloc wanted to detect it early to have the ability to react shortly, the commissioner wrote.
The commissioner’s letter, dated Dec. 29, adopted a web based assembly of over 100 representatives from EU members, EU well being companies and the World Well being Organisation to debate how you can cope with the outbreak in China.
Well being specialists are anticipated to carry a disaster response assembly subsequent week, in line with an EU supply.
Italy has urged the remainder of the European Union to comply with its lead and check travellers from China, however most EU members have mentioned they noticed no want to take action. Kyriakides mentioned some EU members had proposed measures such because the random testing of travellers.
Spain mentioned on Friday it could be a part of different nations setting new restrictions by requiring travellers from China to check unfavorable or present they’ve been absolutely vaccinated.
The European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management says it doesn’t at present suggest measures on travellers from China.
It mentioned the variants circulating in China had been already within the European Union, EU residents had comparatively excessive vaccination ranges and the potential imported infections had been low in comparison with the variety of day by day infections within the EU, with well being care techniques at present coping.
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; modifying by Philippa Fletcher)
Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.
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