Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 3

Written Answers. - Notifiable Diseases.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

164 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reports he has received from the relevant health boards regarding the recent deaths of two patients from Legionnaire's disease; the precautions being put in place to protect patients from exposure to the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I presume the Deputy is referring to the case of Legionnaire's disease contracted at Waterford Regional Hospital and the community acquired case of the disease contracted in Dublin. I would like to reiterate my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the two people who contracted the disease and died.

Legionnaire's disease is a statutorily notifable disease. Notification of cases of the disease are made by the attending physician to the local public health department. Clinical staff are responsible for the management of a given clinical case. On notification to the public health department by clinicians, public health and other staff such as environmental health officers, manage the public health and environmental health aspects of the case in accordance with National Disease Surveillance Centre's guidance. The centre's guidelines on the management of Legionnaire's disease in Ireland includes recommendations to safeguard the health of the general public by reducing the risk of exposure to the legionella bacteria and to enhance the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed Legionnaire's disease and improve the notification of such cases.

The public health management of an incident of Legionnaire's disease contracted in Dublin is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority in accordance with the National Disease Surveillance Centre's guidelines. I understand that following the diagnosis of Legionnaire's disease of a person admitted to Tallaght Hospital, the department of public health at the Eastern Regional Health Authority was informed and carried out surveillance, monitoring and contact tracing. The infection was not acquired in the hospital. It was acquired in the community. I understand it was an isolated case and that no other case was involved.

Following the diagnosis of Legionnaire's disease at Waterford Regional Hospital, the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board reported to me that a hospital team, including consultant microbiologists, nursing staff, management and technical services, took immediate steps to identify and decontaminate the source of infection in accordance with the National Disease Surveillance Centre's guidelines on the management of Legionnaires Disease in Ireland. The chief executive officer also decided to establish an independent investigation team. The chairman of the investigation team is a professor of microbiology and he is supported by a principal environmental health officer, a former health board deputy chief executive officer and a health board regional risk manager. In addition, the team has access to whatever other technical or professional advice it requires. The team is in the process of drafting its report and recommendations and I understand that they will be submitted to the chief executive officer shortly.