Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 6

Written Answers. - Infectious Diseases Statistics.

Richard Bruton

Question:

286 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the reported cases of each of the following in 1980 and the most recent year for which data is available, (1) measles, (2) poliomyelitis, (3) neonatal tetanus, (4) congenital rubella, (5) diphtheria and (6) congenital syphilis.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to parts (1), (2), (3) and (5) is shown in the following tabular statement:

Disease	1980	1991
Measles	1106	135
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis	0	0
Neonatal Tetanus	0	0
Diphtheria	0	0

Congenital rubella syndrome is not a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981. However in the period 1980 to 1987, three cases of congenital rubella syndrome were reported in the Eastern Health Board area. The Eastern Health Board covers about one-third of the population of the country.

New cases of syphilis are notified to my Department under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981. In 1990, the latest year for which figures are available, 19 cases of syphilis were returned for the year. The figures do not specify the age of the sufferer.

Concern has been expressed about the possible underreporting of infectious diseases and steps are being taken to improve the situation.