Vol. 226 No. 9
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been directed to a report that recent investigations were carried out by the medical and veterinary professions into the occurrence of undulant fever in the veterinary profession; and that 95 per cent of veterinary surgeons in current practice are affected by the disease; if his Department can advise new ways of prevention and cure of this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
106.
asked the Minister for Health whether, having regard to the recently reported findings of a high rate of undulant fever in the veterinary profession, his Department are taking steps to advise persons in contact with infected cattle to use masks, gowns and rubber gloves for their own protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
I have seen the report referred to and also read one of the British publications on the same subject. A suitable vaccine for prevention of brucellosis — otherwise undulant fever — in humans has not yet been developed. In the absence of such a vaccine, veterinary practitioners and others dealing with cattle thought to be infected with this disease should—as suggested in the report—consider the use of masks, gowns and rubber gloves for their own protection.
Brucellosis is a notifiable disease for the purpose of the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948, but only 18 cases of it were notified in the year ended 31st December, 1966, possibly because of the difficulties of diagnosing it.
A circular letter was issued from my Department to the chief medical officers of health authorities on the matter in June, 1966, asking them to consider the efficacy of existing measures in their areas for the control of brucellosis in humans. Reference was made to the importance of adequate notification and it was suggested that the interest of general medical practitioners in the matter might be stimulated so that they may be on the alert in regard to the diagnosis of the disease and thus help to achieve a more accurate picture of its true incidence in man.
I do not propose at this stage to issue a statement on the matter but I shall, of course, keep the position under review.
The Minister referred to the "true incidence". Is he not accepting the figures available at the present time?
No. It is a very difficult disease to diagnose. It is pointed out in the report that the likelihood is that the incidence is very much higher than the numbers reported.
The Minister does not accept what is stated, that 95 per cent of veterinary surgeons at the present time are affected with this disease?
This is the opinion expressed. I would not like to say that I disagree with it. It seems quite clear that this is a very difficult disease to diagnose.
It is a notifiable disease.
Yes.
I think the Minister stated that last year only 18 cases were notified, or was that since 1948?
Eighteen in the year ended 31st December, 1966.
It is on the increase in rural Ireland, according to the information available. Whether the doctors are reporting it or not is another question.
They are not diagnosing it. It is extremely difficult to diagnose.
It is.
