Pat Upton
Ceist:110 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the sources of E. Coli 0157; the toxic dose: and the extent to which this micro-organism presents a health hazard to the Irish public. [8843/95]
Written Answers. - E. Coli Screening.
Pat Upton
Ceist:111 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the number of patients from whom the micro-organism E. Coli 0157 has been isolated for each year since 1990. [8844/95]
Pat Upton
Ceist:112 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the total number of patients who were screened for the presence of E. Coli 0157 for each year since 1990. [8845/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 to 112, inclusive, together.
It is not general policy to undertake routine screening of patients for the presence of E. Coli 0157 and incidences of infection by the micro-organism are not routinely reported to my Department. I understand, however, that a certain amount of information about the presence of E. Coli 0157 is contained in returns made under the National Hospital In-patient Enquiry File (HIPE). This information is not immediately to hand but I am making arrangements to have it extracted and forwarded directly to the Deputy.
The food safety advisory committee has issued a report (No. 18, June, 1994) on this matter. This report considered, inter alia, the sources of the infection and suggested preventive measures. Pursuant to that report, all health boards have been instructed to alert their control offices to the risks posed by E. Coli 0157, with particular emphasis on the cooking of minced meat and hamburgers.