The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) is a
UK-wide advisory committee. It was established in 1981, and the terms of reference were revised in 1991 to allow for a wider remit.
Description
The terms of reference of the ACDP are:
:"To provide as requested independent scientific advice to the
Health and Safety Executive, and to Ministers through the
Department of Health
A health department or health ministry is a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry. Subnational entities, such as states, counties and cities, often also operate a health department of their ow ...
, the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and their counterparts under devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, on all aspects of hazards and risks to workers and others from exposure to pathogens. In addition, to provide as requested independent scientific risk assessment advice on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) to Ministers through the Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and their counterparts under devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and to the
Food Standards Agency
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The Committee comprises a
Chairman and up to 17 members. The membership includes scientific and medical experts, representing a range of disciplines.
On 31 December 2012, the Committee was reconstituted from an advisory
non-departmental public body
In the United Kingdom, non-departmental public body (NDPB) is a classification applied by the Cabinet Office, Treasury, the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to public sector organisations that have a role in the process of ...
to an Expert Advisory Committee.
COVID-19
From 19 March,
Public Health England
Public Health England (PHE) was an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in England which began operating on 1 April 2013 to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. Its formation came as a ...
, consistent with the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, no longer classified
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...
as a "High consequence infectious disease" (HCID). This reversed an interim recommendation made in January 2020, due to more information about the disease confirming low overall mortality rates, greater clinical awareness, and a specific and sensitive laboratory test, the availability of which continues to increase. The statement said "the need to have a national, coordinated response remains" and added "this is being met by the
government’s COVID-19 response". This meant cases of COVID-19 are no longer managed by
HCID treatment centres only.
See also
*
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
*
New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group
*
Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is a British Government body that advises central government in emergencies. It is usually chaired by the United Kingdom's Chief Scientific Adviser, currently Sir Patrick Vallance. Speciali ...
References
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External links
ACDP home page
Safety organizations
Department of Health and Social Care
Occupational safety and health organizations