Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 6

Michael Ferris

Question:

298 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his Department have considered the use of the meningitis B vaccine in the present outbreak of this virus infection in Ireland which has led to deaths; if his attention has been drawn to the effectiveness of this vaccine which was confirmed at the VI International Conference on Pathogenic Neisserias in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA in 1988, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Written Answers. - Meningitis Figures.

Ivor Callely

Question:

299 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the alarming number of bacterial menigococcal meningitis cases that have been reported so far in 1992, he will outline the number of cases which have been reported in the Dublin area; if he will give a breakdown of the patient profile, sex and age, and if he will give details of the preventive measures which can be taken to address the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together. I am advised that there is at present no effective vaccine against meningococcal meningitis type B. licensed in this or in any other country. Vaccines are available against type C. and are used. These however are of little use against the type B. organism.

A total of 15 cases of meningococcal meningitis were notified to my Department by the Eastern Health Board as occuring between 1 January 1992 and 2 March 1992. The profile of the patients is as follows:

Area	Age	Sex
Drimnagh	2		F
Clondalkin	16		F	(Decd)
Tallaght	6		M
Cabra	12		M	(Decd)
Summerhill	2		F
Tallaght	5		M
Ballyfermot	6	mths	M
Coolock	6	mths	M
North Co. Dublin	1		M
City Centre	1	½	F
Firhouse	4	mths	M
Coolock	14		F
Drumcondra	57		M
Templeogue	78		M
South Circular Road Area	9		F

Treatment with antibiotics was given to all members of the affected families. Children in creches where one of the other children contacted meningococcal meningitis were also given antibiotic treatment. Classes in schools were not treated but, where it was felt appropriate, very close friends were treated.

The National Drugs Advisory Board are currently considering an application for a licence in respect of a vaccine against haemophilius influenza type B. (HIB). HIB is one of the major causes of meningitis in small children. A decision on any action to be introduced to limit the incidence of meningitis will be taken when the advice of the board is received in relation to the licencing of the product.