asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have contacted infectious hepatitis and hepatitis B for the years 1986 to 1988 inclusive; if he will make a statement on the number of nurses in the Southern Health board area who have contacted this disease; and if he will outline the action he will take in relation to providing the necessary vaccine to protect them.
Written Answers. - Hepatitis.
19.
The number of cases of hepatitis reported to my Department for the years 1986 to 1988 are as follows:
|
1986 |
1987 |
1988(to 30/9/88) |
|
|
Hepatitis A |
126 |
212 |
167 |
|
Hepatitis B |
55 |
63 |
19 |
|
Hepatitis Type |
|||
|
Unspecified |
544 |
381 |
176 |
Under the infectious diseases regulations, 1981, only the incidence of hepatitis is reported by health boards to my Department. For this reason, it is not possible to give a breakdown, on an occupational basis, of cases of hepatitis in a specific area.
I am aware of the dangers presented to certain categories of health care workers by hepatitis B. My Department are at present carrying out a survey through the health boards and hospital managements of appropriate staff in hospitals and mental handicap homes, with a view to implementing a hepatitis B vaccination programme in the near future.