Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 8

Written Answers. - Salmonella Food Poisoning.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

156 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health the cause of each outbreak of salmonella food poisoning each year from 1985 to 1989 inclusive; the action he has taken to prevent further outbreaks of this type of food poisoning; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

An outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning is defined as any instance involving the isolation of a Salmonella species. Most outbreaks involve one or two cases of Salmonella food poisoning.

All outbreaks are investigated by the health board through the Director of Community Care and his team in accordance with guidance issued by my Department in October 1984 on the steps to be taken in the investigation of suspected food poisoning.

In the normal course my Department receives full information from health boards only in regard to large or unusual outbreaks of Salmonella. The numbers of cases of Salmonellosis reported for the years 1985, 1986 and 1987 did not include any large outbreaks.

In 1988 there was a large outbreak in the Cork area and the evidence pointed to the consumption of infected poultry as the cause of the outbreak.

In 1989 there were two large outbreaks. One in Donegal was associated with confectionary products, and one in County Wicklow associated with the consumption of poultry at a barbeque.

Health boards in discharge of their responsibilities under the Food Hygiene Regulations ensure that proper hygiene standards are maintained in food premises. The CLEANWATCH hygiene programme which I launched in May 1988 has raised the level of public awareness to hygiene generally and my Department has advised the general public with regard to the safe handling and cooking of poultry.