Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the UK Health Security Agency and (b) devolved governments on preparedness for infectious disease cases linked to international travel.

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which acts as the lead Government department for emerging infectious disease outbreaks. UKHSA has well-tested capabilities to detect, manage, and contain cases and outbreaks of infectious diseases. UKHSA works closely with laboratories, the World Health Organisation, and public health surveillance agencies across the world to identify imported cases, and delivers an effective contact tracing, case management, and contingency planning response by working with partners across the Government and local systems. In relation to international travel, UKHSA offers border health support for United Kingdom ports of entry, maintains horizon scanning capabilities for emerging threats, and offers expert public health advice to inform travel advice.

The Department of Health and Social Care and UKHSA work closely with the devolved administration and their public health agencies in planning and response for infectious disease threats under the Common Framework for Public Health Protection and Health Security.

Both the Department of Health and Social Care and UKHSA have worked closely together in response to the recent outbreak of hantavirus, as well as working in close partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the UK Overseas Territories, the Department for Transport, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.