Michael Creed
Question:238 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of TB cases in the Southern Health Board region; and the educational programmes, if any, envisaged to promote an awareness of the disease. [7190/98]
Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Incidence.
I am advised by the Southern Health Board that the number of tuberculosis notifications in the region since 1994 is as follows:
|
1994 |
— |
93 |
|
1995 |
— |
113 |
|
1996 |
— |
118 |
|
1997 |
— |
97. |
A regional collaborative multidisciplinary committee was established in the Southern Health Board in 1997 to review regional epidemiology and oversee strategies to reduce the incidence of the disease. The board also advises me that extra prominence has been given to tuberculosis in both undergraduate and post-graduate education, especially in relation to multi-drug resistant disease and disease in the immunocompromised host. Patients in whom a diagnosis of TB has been made are treated intensively and monitored closely during the period of treatment to ensure compliance. Advice is given to patients, their families and contacts on aspects of the disease, including how it presents, how it is transmitted and how it can be prevented. Educational leaflets on preventive treatment of tuberculosis have been prepared by the Southern Health Board, in addition to an information leaflet on the hazards of unpasteurised milk.