Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 2

Written Answers. - Meningitis Research.

Charlie McCreevy

Ceist:

35 Mr. McCreevy asked the Minister for Health the amount of money allocated by his Department in 1996 for research into meningitis; the amount of money allocated in 1996 for a public information campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16949/96]

Charlie McCreevy

Ceist:

46 Mr. McCreevy asked the Minister for Health the number of meningitis cases reported to date in 1996; the number of deaths due to meningitis in 1996; and the progress, if any, made on the introduction of a national communicable diseases surveillance centre. [16951/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 46 together.

The number of cases of meningitis notified to my Department to date in 1996 is 276 cases of bacterial meningitis and 50 cases of the less serious viral meningitis. The number of deaths reported is 11. The establishment of a communicable disease surveillance unit is being considered in the context of related developments, for example, the proposed joint North-South Institute of Public Health.

While no specific money has been allocated by my Department for research into meningitis the expert group which I set up to make recommendations relating to the diagnostic, surveillance and preventive aspects of our approach to meningitis is, I understand, also looking at the area of research. I expect to receive their report in the near future.

As regards public information I will outline the steps which I have taken to raise awareness of meningitis. Earlier this month I gave an interview to the national media to alert parents, the public at large and doctors of the importance of being extra vigilant for meningitis. I have issued pressFacts on Meningitis to the national media. My Department's health promotion unit has distributed a revised meningitis leaflet to the health boards. A new leaflet for general practitioners is also being distributed to the health boards.

This month the chief medical officer of my Department wrote to the directors of public health, on my behalf, requesting them to take all necessary measures to ensure that the highest possible level of awareness among professionals, parents and the wider public is maintained especially during the winter months. The directors were also asked to circulate the pressFacts on Meningitis to the provincial media and to consider what additional public information initiatives were required and decide what specific measures need to be taken in their areas. In addition health boards were requested to liaise with parental groups working to raise awareness of meningitis to facilitate a co-ordinated approach.