Bernard Allen
Question:142 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if meningitis is a notifiable infectious disease in this country; and if he has satisfied himself that each general practitioner is reporting each case to the health boards.
Written Answers. - Incidences of Meningitis.
Bernard Allen
Question:143 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to introduce a programme of information in order to enable general practitioners and other persons involved in the medical profession such as nurses, secretaries and paramedicals to be made aware of the symptoms of meningitis as early diagnosis may reduce the number of lives lost each year from this disease.
Bernard Allen
Question:144 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths caused by meningitis in the years 1987 to 1990 inclusive.
I propose to take Question Nos. 142, 143 and 144 together.
Under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981 the following are notifiable infectious diseases: Bacterial meningitis and acute viral meningitis. I am aware, that concern has been expressed recently regarding an alleged increase in the incidence of meningitis. The notification of infectious diseases received by the Department does not support the concern expressed, as the increase appears to be in the viral forms of meningitis. This may be due to an increased number of cases submitted to lumbar puncture in which bacterial infection is not confirmed.
My Department, with a view to evaluating the position regarding bacterial meningitis, have issued a circular to each director of community care and medical officer of health asking them to advise medical practitioners, both primary care and hospital doctors, in their areas to be aware of the possibility of cases of bacterial meningitis presenting themselves, and of the need to notify such cases to the DCC and MOH as a matter or urgency.
One of the medical officers of my Department is closely involved with the various health boards in an on-going monitoring of the situation countrywide, and this, together with local arrangements between DCC and MOH's and medical practitioners, ensures a high level of reporting of the disease.
The following figures show the number of deaths caused by meningitis in the years 1987 to 1990.
|
Year |
Number |
|
1987 |
16 |
|
1988 |
16 |
|
1989 |
8 |
|
1990 |
15 |
|
(first three quarters) |