Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The ebola crisis is reminiscent of the Black Death or plague, when there was little information available to the people directly affected. At the time the problem could not be addressed until people discovered how it was carried and how it could be limited. Some communities isolated themselves completely so that it could not be spread to them. How best can we provide information to communities in these countries who are affected or likely to become affected, particularly in Sierra Leone which is densely populated and has poor sanitary, water and hygiene services? It would be easier for communities in rural areas to isolate themselves. In those circumstances, what advice can be given to the people on how best to protect themselves? I recognise that health providers must deal with the cases that occur. They must identify them quickly, and where ebola occurs, those communities must inform the health providers as soon as possible.