Bernard Allen
Question:64 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the report of a marked increase in the incidence of infectious diseases (details supplied) in 1989 compared to 1988.
Vol. 398 No. 6
64 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the report of a marked increase in the incidence of infectious diseases (details supplied) in 1989 compared to 1988.
As Minister for Health, I would obviously be concerned at any increase in the levels of infectious diseases. The situation in relation to the specific diseases referred is as follows.
Measles is a disease which is preventable by means of vaccination. In 1985, some 9,903 cases were reported. However, following the introduction of vaccination this had fallen to 201 cases by 1987. In recent years the reported incidence of measles has shown signs of increasing and this corresponds with a decline in the uptake of vaccination. However, following the introduction of the MMR vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella and with uptake figures of MMR now in excess of 80 per cent I am optimistic that the incidence of measles can be considerably reduced and eventually eliminated.
Mumps only became a notifiable disease in October 1988 so that a direct comparison between the figures for 1988 and 1989 is not possible. However, with the introduction of MMR, the incidence should also be considerably reduced.
There were three significant outbreaks of salmonellosis which contributed to the increased figures for 1989. Apart from these outbreaks it is difficult to say to what extent the increased figures for 1989 may be due to an increase in the incidence of salmonellosis generally or an improvement in notifications to my Department following on an increased public awareness to the risks of salmonellosis.