Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 150, Number 7: ORDERS IN COUNCIL

February 13, 2016

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA

QUARANTINE ACT

Order Repealing the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Virus Disease in Canada Order (No. 4)

P.C. 2016-54 February 5, 2016

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that there is no longer an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health, pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act (see footnote a), makes the annexed Order Repealing the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Virus Disease in Canada Order (No. 4).

Order Repealing the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Virus Disease in Canada Order (No. 4)

Repeal

1 The Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Virus Disease in Canada Order (No. 4) (see footnote 1) is repealed.

Coming into Force

2 This Order comes into force on the day on which it is made.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

Proposal

This Order will make the Order Repealing the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Virus Disease in Canada Order (No. 4), which will lift the enhanced public health measures that currently apply to travellers who have visited Guinea within 21 days of entering Canada.

Objective

This Order will repeal the Order entitled Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Virus Disease in Canada Order (No. 4), which was made to ensure the health and safety of the public remained protected as the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak continued in Guinea. However, as Guinea has now been declared EVD-free, there is no longer a continuing need to assess and monitor individuals with a travel history to this country.

This proposed approach is consistent with previous actions taken for Liberia and Sierra Leone. The enhanced public health measures were lifted for both these countries once they achieved a sustained period of interrupted transmission of the disease and were declared EVD-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Background

EVD is a severe disease that causes haemorrhagic fever in humans and animals. Diseases that cause haemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola, are often fatal as they affect the body's vascular system (how blood moves through the body). This can lead to significant internal bleeding and organ failure.

Order No. 4 was made on December 11, 2015, which extended the enhanced public health measures for Guinea that have been in place since November 10, 2014, through to March 31, 2016. However, since the making of the Order (No. 4), Guinea has been able to achieve a sustained period of interrupted transmission of the disease and was subsequently declared EVD-free by the WHO.

Implications

The Public Health Agency of Canada will maintain normal public health measures under the Quarantine Act to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases to Canada (e.g. identify travellers requiring screening and assessment, provide travellers with public health education as appropriate).

Consultation

Provinces and territories were consulted on Order (No. 2) and will be informed of the repeal of border measures through this Order. The Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to collaborate with provinces and territories to address any forthcoming challenges or concerns.

Departmental contact

Gina Howell
Director
Office of Border Health Services
Public Health Agency of Canada
Telephone: 613-277-3045
Email: gina.howell@phac-aspc.gc.ca

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