Vol. 516 No. 4
90 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the research being carried out with regard to meningitis; the number of deaths recorded during 1999 and to date in 2000 from this condition; if his Department is funding any research; the plans, if any, he has to make funds available for research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8442/00]
Eighteen deaths from bacterial meningitis, including meningococcal septicaemia, were notified to my Department by the health boards in 1999. In 2000, ten such deaths have been reported up to the end of February.
The working group on bacterial meningitis, which was established in 1996 under the chairmanship of my Department's deputy chief medical officer and which published reports in 1997 and 1999, includes among its members a range of medical experts who are closely involved in dealing with meningococcal disease in Ireland. The group has prepared and issued detailed advice on the surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningitis and it continues to monitor developments, including the outcome of research, at national and international level so as to ensure that its advice is in line with best practice.
In recent years surveillance systems in relation to meningitis have been significantly improved. Health boards are required to notify details of cases to my Department within 24 hours of them occurring and these arrangements are operating effectively. My Department has also funded the establishment of the meningococcal reference laboratory at the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, and the diagnostic service provided by this laboratory has had a significant impact on case ascertainment and confirmation of the diagnosis of invasive meningococcal disease. The meningococcal reference laboratory is also undertaking a study to establish the sub-strains of group C meningococcal disease circulating in Ireland as part of the preparations for the introduction of a new vaccine against this strain of the disease.
