asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent newspaper report (details supplied) of an article by two Irish doctors which indicated that one in every five chickens in shops in Ireland has salmonella poisoning and if he will institute a special review of this situation as a matter of urgency with particular reference to the incidence and prevention of infection in poultry factory farms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmonella Poisoning.
75.
My attention has been drawn to the press report in question and I am aware of the problem referred to. However notifications in recent years under the Infectious Diseases Regulations of salmonellosis in humans do not indicate an increase in the incidence of this infection.
The Food Hygiene Regulations and health education generally, are aimed at the prevention of infection from any source, including cooked and uncooked food. The spread of salmonellosis can be prevented by adequate cooking of vulnerable foods and by careful attention to hygiene.
As regards the institution of a special review of the incidence and prevention of infection in poultry factory farms I have drawn the Deputy's request to the attention of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, who has overall responsibility for animal health.
Will the Minister agree that it is reasonable to infer that there could be one of two possible reasons for a decline in the reported incidence of salmonella infections, one being that the incidence is going down, the second more serious being that it is so common that more and more doctors are not reporting it? Will the Minister indicate the regulations about notification in relation to this disease?
It is a notifiable infectious disease and figures for the most recent years available are 1976, 240; 1977, 253; 1978, 189; and 1979, 192. As the Deputy says, many cases of salmonella in humans are of a minor nature and it is accepted that the notified incidence is not a true reflection of the actual incidence. Recent reports from regional laboratories do not show any increase in salmonella isolations.