Vol. 434 No. 4
162 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of hepatitis A that were reported for 1992 and up to June 1993, by primary and secondary schools; and the special measures, if any, he is taking to control future outbreaks.
There is a statutory requirement on all general practitioners to notify their local Director of Community Care-Medical Officer of Health, DCC-MOH, of all cases of hepatitis A. The DCC-MOH in turn notifies my Department of all cases reported to them as occurring in their area. No breakdown is given to my Department as to whether the cases being notified are in a primary or secondary school. The local DCC-MOH is empowered to take whatever action he/she deems necessary to control the spread of infectious diseases, including hepatitis A, under the Infectious Diseases Regulations.
The total number of cases of hepatitis A notified to my Department is as follows: 1992, 423; 1993 (until end June), 219.
