Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Incidence of Meningitis.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

382 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the steps she proposes to take as a result of the 600 per cent increase in the reported cases of meningitis in Ireland over the last three years; and her views on whether this alarming increase can be reversed.

Minister for Health (Mrs. O'Rourke)

As I am sure the Deputy will be aware the reported incidence of viral meningitis increased considerably in 1990 over the 1989 figure. As this form of meningitis can be precipitated by viruses such as influenza, the increase was probably associated with the outbreak of influenza in late 1989 early 1990.

The number of cases of meningitis notified to my Department for the past three years is shown in the following table:

	1989	1990	1991
Acute Viral Meningitis	52	300	83
Bacterial Meningitis	115	132	154
Total	167	432	237

The Department of Health monitor the incidence of bacterial meningitis in two ways: through the weekly reporting of cases by general practitioners to the local director of community care /medical officer of health (DCC/MOH) who, in turn, reports the cases to the Department and reports on individual cases of bacterial meningitis are submitted by the local DCC/MOH to the Department.

These reports in recent years have not indicated any major outbreak or clustering of cases or particular possible sources of infection. The pattern of infection has been of sporadic cases occuring in various parts of the country.

The Department operate a control programme, in conjunction with the health boards and primary care doctors.

The appearance of a case of bacterial meningitis indicates to the local health service the presence of infection in the area. The DCC/MOH then liaises with local GPs to create a clinical awareness of the presence of infection. This is important because, in the more pernicious types of infection, the prognosis will depend on early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Prophylactic therapy is also initiated for the family and immediate contacts of cases.

Research on an appropriate vaccine is taking place internationally and the Department are monitoring this as a basis for the possible introduction of a vaccination programme into this country.