Subject: Cluster of Endovirus causing Myocarditis in very young babies
I refer to the above subject and to information published on Public Health Wales website 3 May 2023, reproduced in Annex 1 below. The content should be self-explanatory.
I understand Public Health Wales are conducting an investigation. I would be grateful if you could arrange to provide me with a copy of the formal "terms of reference of the investigation" now ongoing.
The information is requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental Information Regulations 2004. I look forward to receiving the information at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Thank you for your recent request dated 3rd May 2023.
This incident was managed under the framework of the Outbreak Plan for Wales. This outlines the main tasks of an incident or outbreak control team as below.
2.3 DUTIES OF THE OCT
2.3.1 These may include:
• Appointing a Chair (bearing in the mind the advantages of continuity).
• Ensuring that in the absence of a team member a competent deputy is made available.
• Taking minutes to record decisions and actions.
• Reviewing evidence and confirm that there is an outbreak or a significant incident which requires public health intervention.
• Agreeing the case definition, case finding strategies and identification of carriers as appropriate.
• Identifying the population at risk.
• Identifying the nature, vehicle and source of infection by using microbiological, epidemiological and environmental health expertise.
• Investigating the outbreak, implementing control measures and monitoring their effectiveness, using laboratory, epidemiological and environmental health expertise.
• Ensuring adequate human and other resources are available for the management of the outbreak.
• Escalating any concerns about resource and other issues to the appropriate agencies
• Ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place for out of hours contact with all members.
• Preventing further cases elsewhere by communicating findings to national agencies.
• Developing communications strategy to keep Welsh Government, relevant local organisations, the general public and the media appropriately informed.
• Providing support, advice, and guidance to all individuals and organisations directly involved.
• Considering the potential staff training opportunities of the outbreak (attendance at the OCT is at the discretion of the Chair).
• Identifying and utilising any opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge about communicable disease control.
• Declaring the conclusion of the outbreak and preparing a final report with recommendations and evaluating the outbreak response.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of the decision, you should write to the Corporate Complaints Manager, Public Health Wales NHS Trust, 3, Number 2, Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BZ.
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint or review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Trust. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner for Wales
2nd Floor
Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH
Telephone: 029 2067 8400
Email: wales@ico.org.uk