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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Incidence.

Ivor Callely

Question:

132 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the noticeable increase, if any, in tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27170/99]

There was a steady decline in the incidence of tuberculosis up to the mid-1990s. Since then the annual number of cases has been between 400 and 450 cases and the numbers of cases notified in recent years are as follows:

1995

458

1996

434

1997

416

1998 (provisional)

439

1999

200

The figures for 1998 are provisional pending completion of a process of validation, which is being undertaken at present. The figures in relation to 1999 reflect the information received to date from the health boards in respect of the first two quarters of the year and so are not necessarily complete. These too may be subject to revision as further information is received.
The Health Act, 1947, and the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, provide the legislative basis for the control of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, in Ireland.
The report of the working party on tuberculosis, which had been established to evaluate policy on the prevention and treatment of the disease in Ireland and to make appropriate recommendations, was published in 1996. The report makes recommendations for the prevention and treatment of the disease. The recommendations cover a range of issues including epidemiology, surveillance, screening, preventative therapy, clinical management and laboratory diagnosis. As recommended in the report, a permanent committee, the National Tuberculosis Committee, has been established to advise on a detailed national strategy for the control and management of tuberculosis and it is developing such a strategy at present.
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