Vol. 464 No. 7
61 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health whether there has been a noticeable increase in outbreaks of respiratory infection; if so, the research and studies, if any, carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8816/96]
, Limerick East): While no specific research projects have been carried out into the level of respiratory infections in the community, the March-April report of the Virus Reference Laboratory indicates a significant increase in the incidence of infection due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) from November 1995 to February 1996, peaking in January.
While RSV infection is normally associated with infants in the first year of life, there was evidence of significant infection in the elderly community during this winter.
