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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 8

Written Answers. - Meningitis Statistics.

Madeleine Taylor-Quinn

Question:

118 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the number of reported cases of meningitis in 1992 to date; the way in which this compares with last year; and if he will outline the information campaign planned by his Department to inform parents of the symptoms and risks.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

279 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of, (1) the number and (2) the location of reported cases of meningitis throughout the country in each of the past four years; if any investigations have been done or are likely to be done to determine the causes of this illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 279 together. Acute viral meningitis is not normally regarded as a serious illness. Bacterial meningitis is on the other hand a more dangerous condition and a detailed report is made to my Department by the local director of community care/medical officer of health of each case that is notified to him by GPs in his area.

Haemophilus influenza is a major cause of bacterial meningitis. A national study, co-ordinated by the Eastern Health Board, into haemophilus influenza type B. (HIB) is at present under way.

While some vaccines have been available internationally against HIB these were not regarded as being suitable for children under two years of age. It is expected however that a suitable vaccine against HIB will be available shortly.

With reference to the recent outbreak of meningitis in Cork, the Deputy may wish to note that the Southern Health Board (SHB) inserted a Public Health Notice in the Cork Examiner of 12 February 1992. In addition, my Department's medical staff have been in constant contact with the SHB on the matter and the board is taking the appropriate measures to contain the disease.

In view of the need for medical practitioners to be vigilant in relation to possible cases occurring in individuals, the deputy chief medical officer of my Department has written to each DCC/MOH advising them to liaise with doctors in their area in relation to the early diagnosis of the disease. On the basis of current epidemiology of the disease in this country the measures taken by the Department and by the Southern Health Board to which I have earlier referred are considered to be the most effective and meaningful action that can be taken at this stage. I am, of course, keeping the matter under review.
The number and location of cases of meningitis reported to my Department over the past four years and to 7 February 1992 is shown in the following tabular statement.

Acute Viral Meningitis

Bacterial Meningitis

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Carlow

0

0

0

2

0

0

2

0

2

0

Cavan

0

2

2

1

0

5

1

6

1

0

Clare

2

8

10

4

0

2

3

3

4

0

Cork

1

2

13

1

0

5

8

4

19

17

Donegal

32

1

9

4

0

16

4

7

3

0

Dublin

17

5

61

21

0

16

11

18

23

6

Galway

0

0

5

0

0

1

5

5

13

1

Kerry

16

7

68

3

0

2

12

9

3

1

Kildare

1

0

7

1

0

1

5

6

10

1

Kilkenny

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

1

0

Laois

0

0

0

3

0

5

10

1

2

0

Leitrim

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Limerick

1

2

10

1

0

6

2

2

1

0

Longford

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

6

1

0

Louth

0

0

3

0

0

6

5

5

3

0

Mayo

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

0

1

3

Meath

0

0

1

1

0

8

5

4

5

4

Monaghan

2

0

1

0

0

4

1

3

0

0

Offaly

2

4

8

1

0

7

0

2

1

0

Roscommon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

1

Sligo

0

0

0

1

1

0

1

2

8

0

Tipperary NR

0

0

16

3

0

2

2

3

1

0

Tipperary SR

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterford

0

0

0

1

0

2

1

2

2

0

Westmeath

0

0

8

2

0

1

0

0

3

1

Wexford

0

0

1

1

0

1

3

5

2

2

Wicklow

7

4

6

2

1

10

4

2

3

0

Cork C.B.

1

2

2

2

0

5

11

4

16

1

Dublin C.B.

19

15

69

28

1

18

15

30

22

9

Galway C.B.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Limerick C.B.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

Waterford C.B.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

Totals

101

52

300

83

3

128

115

131

154

48

(C.B. = County Borough)
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