asked the Minister for Health the dates of the deaths from Weil's disease in 1966, 1967 and 1968; and whether these deaths have any relationship at all with bathing in rat infested waters in Dublin city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Weil's Disease.
7.
The dates of the deaths from Weil's disease in this country in 1966, 1967 and 1968 were as follows:—
1966 — two deaths — one in May, one in November;
1967 — four deaths — one each in January, February, May and September;
1968 — no deaths.
Although one of these deaths occurred in a Dublin hospital—in 1967— the disease in all cases was contracted outside the Dublin area. Consequently the disease cannot have been contracted through bathing in rat infested waters in Dublin city. Incidentally, none of the deceased was under the age of 50 and all but one was aged 60 or over.
In the reply given to the Deputy on 12th November, 1969, about the incidence of Weil's disease, the figures given related to the country as a whole. The incidence in the Dublin area was as follows:
|
1966— |
nil |
|
1967— |
one |
|
1968— |
nil |
|
1969— |
no case notified to date. |
I regret the error.
Is the Minister aware that recently a young girl died from this disease in County Kerry and that County Kerry has experienced four deaths over the past few years from this disease?
It is a very rare disease.
In stating that no one under the age of 50 died, is the Minister implying that people over 50 do not swim?
I am not implying anything of the kind.
8.
asked the Minister for Health if there are any diagnostic facilities available for the diagnosis of Weil's disease in Dublin or Ireland; and, if so, where.
Weil's disease is a form of Leptospirosis and there are arrangements under which specimens from suspected cases of such disease can be sent to a laboratory in London for diagnosis. Medical laboratories throughout the country were notified of these arrangements.
Would the Minister consider setting up diagnostic facilities in the Republic for this disease considering that recently a young 17 year old girl in County Kerry died from this disease, that the diagnosis was not made until after she had died, and that diagnosis of this disease is not made until after the patient has died?
In the case of this rare disease I would not dream of charging either the ratepayers or the State with the amount required to pay for expensive laboratory facilities when we receive the utmost co-operation from laboratories in Great Britain and other countries if required.