asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the report that the number of cases of gastro-enteritis in the County Clare area are well above the national average.
Written Answers. - County Clare Gastro-enteritis Cases.
227.
A total of 2,573 cases of gastro-enteritis have been reported to my Department in 1988 under the statutory infectious diseases monitoring scheme. Of these cases, 479 have been reported in the Clare area.
The reason for the Clare figure is the high level of reporting in the area. Experience both here and internationally shows that there is under-reporting of infectious diseases. Steps have been taken here to improve the situation.
Efforts are being made both in the Mid-Western Health board and in the country as a whole to reduce the incidence of gastro-enteritis by encouraging and promoting the use of proper hygiene practices and by encouraging mothers to breast feed their infants. In this regard the Deputy will be aware of the continuing and successful "Clean Watch" campaign initiated by the Health Promotion Unit in my Department during 1988.