Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hepatitis C Case.

Helen Keogh

Question:

11 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health if a woman has informed his Department that she has become infected with Hepatitis C as a result of alleged contamination by a blood product known as gammaglobulin which she received by vaccine prior to a visit to a tropical country; if a claim has been made to his Department; if there have been any other claims of infection of such a produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2741/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): My Department received a phone call from an individual alleging that his wife contracted hepatitis C from the administration of a blood product, gammaglobulin and requesting a copy of the scheme of compensation, which was forwarded to the person on 21 December 1995.

Under the terms of the scheme to compensate certain persons who have contracted hepatitis C from the use of human immunoglobulin anti-D, whole blood or other blood products, it is open to any person who claims that they have contracted hepatitis C from any blood product, to pursue such a claim before the compensation tribunal which I established on 15 December 1995.

Gammaglobulin is an intramuscular immunoglobulin which is used to vaccinate against hepatitis A. I have been advised by the BTSB that there have been no documented cases of hepatitis C associated with gammaglobulin produced by any European or US manufacturer. I have been advised also that a small number of cases of hepatitis have been reported in relation to gammaglobulin produced by manufacturers who may not have employed standard fractionation procedures such as those used in Europe and US. The gammaglobulin imported and distributed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board is manufactured by a leading European manufacturer.