asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the high incidence of jaundice that has been and is occurring in County Galway; and the steps he is taking or has taken to identify the source of the infection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Hepatitis Incidence.
8.
I am aware of the on-going high incidence of infectious hepatitis in various parts of the county, including Galway. This has been the subject of discussion with the Directors of Community Care of the health boards and on-going investigations of outbreaks of the condition are undertaken by the Directors of Community Care.
Infectious hepatitis is a difficult disease to control. There are two distinct types of the disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is associated with syringes, needles and other intravenous equipment. The use of disposable equipment of this type has considerably helped in the control of this form of the disease.
Hepatitis A may be caused by a variety of reasons, including poor hygienic practice and frequently there is no identifiable common source. The infection may be spread from person to person or by some common vehicle such as food.
The prevalence of the disease underlines the importance of good hygienic practices as emphasised in the National Hygiene Campaign which was run by my Department in recent years and it is encouraging to note that the notified incidence of the disease throughout the country has decreased from 860 cases in 1977 to 419 in 1979.
I am not sure if the Minister answered Deputy Donnellan's question which was in relation to whether there is a higher incidence than normal in County Galway.
The figures for Galway have been reduced considerably in 1980 to date. The figure for 1979 was 50, and to the end of September of this year is 27. On a national basis that would be one per 6,200 approximately of the population. Dublin would be one case per 5,100 of the population.
Is the Minister saying that there has not been a higher incidence of jaundice occurring for some time past or occurring at present in County Galway compared with other parts of the country?
The reported incidences of the disease indicate that Galway has had a high incidence relative to its population but the incidence per head of the population in Galway is lower than in some other areas, for example, Waterford. The reported incidences reached a peak in 1979 when they represented one case in 3,355 of the population of the county. As I have indicated the figure in Galway is falling in common with the national figure.
I should like further clarification on a point.
I have allowed sufficient supplementaries and I am moving to the next question. I am calling Ceist a 9 and I am asking the Minister to reply to that.
Deputy Donnellan will be back to raise this matter on the Adjournment if the Chair does not permit me to ask a further supplementary in clarification.
I have allowed a number of supplementaries.
I am aware that the Chair is not responsible for the answers.
I have given the Deputy the information I have in relation to the figures for County Galway.
The Minister should reply to Ceist 9.