asked the Minister for Health if he will state whether the rat infection known as Weil's disease, which recently caused a death, has come under consideration in his Department; what medical advice is available as to its speedy treatment; whether county hospitals and local authorities have been notified of this disease which also arises from sewerage, water services, fish deposits and refuse; and if every precaution has been taken against the disease.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Weil's Disease.
Weil's disease is a scheduled infectious disease under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948, and medical practitioners are obliged to report its occurrence to the chief medical officer. In common with other infectious diseases, free institutional treatment provided by the several health authorities is also available. There are also long-standing instructions issued by my Department to health authorities emphasising the importance of full compliance with the provisions of the regulations as to notification and the necessity for taking all possible steps for guarding against the disease.