asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the statement of a Dublin mother who complained that her child had contracted polio while a patient in a Dublin hospital; and if he is prepared to make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Outbreak of Poliomyelitis.
79.
I have seen the statement referred to in a press report.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dublin Health Authority, is investigating the source of the outbreak. The child referred to developed the illness while a patient in a Dublin hospital but the present investigations—which have not yet been completed—have not isolated the specific source of the infection. The matter will be the subject of a detailed report to me by the Chief Medical Officer as soon as possible.
Steps have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
I would like to take this opportunity of impressing on parents of children who have not yet been immunised against poliomyelitis, the advisability of getting in touch with their family doctor or their local health authority to have the children immunised.
The mother in this case informed me that the child was so delicate that it could not be immunised. I am sure there are other such delicate children in the country who could contract any disease in hospital. Could the hospital authorities have such a child isolated—in a special ward, for instance—where it would have some safeguard against polio? I agree with the Minister that all healthy children should be immunised. What is the position when the medical officer says it is too dangerous to immunise a child?
I shall consider that question and get in touch with the Deputy.