asked the Minister for Health why his Department has not confirmed a case of typhus fever diagnosed as such at the County Hospital, Castlebar, and confirmed by the medical officer of Swinford Fever Hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Suspected Mayo Typhus Case.
The investigation of cases of infectious diseases is a matter for the medical and hospital authorities concerned and my Department has no functions in regard to the confirmation of a diagnosis.
No case of typhus fever has been notified to my Department by the Mayo County Medical Officer. Officers of my Department have, however, been in touch with the local medical officers regarding a patient whose illness was at first suspected to be typhus fever, but further investigations have not confirmed the tentative diagnosis.
The Deputy may rest assured, however, that all necessary public health precautionary measures (including the removal of the patient to a fever hospital) were taken.
Would the Minister say it has been confirmed that it is not typhus?
I cannot say that. The question of the man's condition has had to be referred to an external authority.
I know that.