Bernard Allen
Question:280 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of meningococcal meningitis in each health board area in 1990, 1995, 2000 and to date in 2001. [10017/01]
Written Answers. - Meningitis Cases.
I am advised by the health boards that the number of cases of meningococcal meningitis notified in each of the years 1990, 1995, 2000 and to date in 2001 is as follows:
|
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2001(todate) |
|
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
||||
|
Midland Health Board |
15 |
17 |
33 |
7 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
10 |
18 |
38 |
5 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
12 |
26 |
51 |
10 |
|
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
2001(todate) |
|
|
North-Western Health Board |
9 |
5 |
21 |
4 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
||||
|
Southern Health Board |
19* |
96 |
84 |
17 |
|
Western Health Board |
# |
# |
32 |
8 |
*This figure refers to bacterial meningitis (including meningococcal septicaemia) and may include cases due to bacteria other than meningococcus.
*# The Western Health Board is unable to provide information in relation to 1990 and 1995. The Eastern Regional Health Authority and the South Eastern Health Board did not provide the information concerned in the time available. I will forward this to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
As the Deputy is aware, I launched phase one of the national immunisation programme aimed at the prevention of Group C meningitis on 20 October 2000. This phase of the campaign was aimed at those at greatest risk of contracting the disease; children under five years of age and young persons aged 15 to 18. This phase of the campaign is now almost complete and preliminary uptake information available from health boards is positive. Phase two of the campaign commenced recently and will target primary school children as a priority.