asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of salmonella that were recorded in 1981, 1982 and 1983; and if he will comment on statements made recently linking salmonella to the increased use of antibiotics in farm health.
Written Answers. - Salmonella Statistics.
497.
The number of cases of salmonella notified to the Department of Health under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, were as follows: 1981 — 271; 1982 — 175; 1983 — 205.
The statements referred to by the Deputy relate to the occurrence of salmonella illness in 1983 in 18 persons in the USA. The illnesses were associated with the consumption by the persons of meat which contained strains of the bacteria, salmonella newport, which were resistant to antibiotics. The antibiotic-resistant strains developed in the cattle as a result of the use of antibiotics in the animal feed. Many of the person affected had also been taking antibiotics at the time they consumed the meat. This probably increased the disease potential of the cattle-borne resistant salmonella, as the antibiotics would have killed off the harmless bacteria which are normally in the human body, thus permitting the resistant strains to thrive.
The findings in relation to this outbreak demonstrate that antibiotic-resistant strains of animal origin can cause human illness and underline the need for more prudent use of antibiotics in both human beings and animals. In implementing the Report (December 1983) of The Food Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Residues in Food, my Department is currently establishing a system designed to permit early detection of significant changes in antibiotic resistance characteristics. This system will record regularly the patterns of antibiotic resistance in micro-organisms isolated in man, animals, food or the environment, on the basis of which appropriate action will be taken to protect the public health.