Oil companies have been advised on what to do if workers returning from areas affected by the Ebola virus feel unwell.
Measures have been put in place over how to deal with anyone in Scotland affected with the virus, for which no treatment is available and the chances of victims surviving ranges from 10% to 75%.
Since the latest outbreak erupted in west Africa, more than 7,100 cases have been reported with nearly half dying.
The Scottish Government has been working closely with Health Protection Scotland to minimise the risk of an outbreak of Ebola in Scotland even though the risk is put at “very low”.
Protocols are in place to deal with the disease and regular updates issued to health workers.
North-east Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone asked ministers yesterday what precautions were in place to deal with oil workers returning from Nigeria.
“Has the government made any specific assessment of the danger attached to the movement that exists between Nigeria and the north-east of Scotland related to the oil and gas industry and are there any specific preparations for changing the status should any risk be identified?” he asked.
Public health minister Michael Matheson replied: “I can inform the member that Health Protection Scotland has been engaging with the oil industry in the north-east on the potential risks to workers who operate on the west coast of Africa and has been discussing a range of measures that the industry should consider taking to ensure that its personnel are properly protected.
“It has also discussed the need for the industry to have in place appropriate measures to ensure that, when individuals return to Scotland, they have appropriate support, if necessary, should they find themselves unwell.”
A spokesman for the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers said International SOS and the World Health Organisation had created materials that were being used by oil companies.
“The companies take the health of their employees seriously,” he said.
“Basically they have developed their own material on what precautions their staff should take in areas where Ebola has emerged.”