Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 9

Written Answers. - TB Cases in Ireland.

Bernard Allen

Question:

124 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the number of TB cases in Ireland in 1989 and 1990; if he will make a statement on recent reports that half of all new cases of tuberculosis are occurring in patients under 40 years of age, which means that the chain of transmission is still continuing; if he will develop a national policy on the way to deal with TB; and if he will set up procedures regarding surveillance, contact, tracing, vaccination and treatment.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The number of cases of tuberculosis 1989-1990 is as follows: 1989-624; 1990-613.

The incidence of tuberculosis in Ireland has decreased markedly over the past fifteen years from approximately 1,000 new cases to 600 new cases per annum. The incidence of the disease has plateaued at around this figure, an effect which is common to other countries also.

An analysis of new cases of tuberculosis notified during 1990 shows that there is an even distribution of cases amongst all age groups from 20 years upwards. Under 20 years of age, the incidence is lower.

At present policy regarding tuberculosis is implemented in each health board area through integrated preventative and treatment programmes. Under the programmes, appropriate procedures are in place for prevention through BCG vaccination, for surveillance of the disease, treatment of infected persons, tracing of contacts and the provision of prophylaxis to contacts of infected persons, as appropriate.