Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 2

Written Answers. - Meningitis Incidence.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

71 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the incidence of meningococcal meningitis per health board in each of the last three years; the proposals, if any, he has to increase awareness of the dangers and symptoms of this illness among the general public and parents in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2212/98]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

78 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will instruct his Department to draw up a code of practice to be implemented by health boards, hospitals and general practitioners to ensure that the public is alerted to the dangers of meningitis in view of the widespread public concern at the increasing reported incidence of this disease; if he will ensure that when there is reasonable suspicion of a case of meningitis notification is given, not only to relatives and those whom the distraught family of a diagnosed patient believe are potentially exposed to the disease through contact with the patient, but also to the local community. [1989/98]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

161 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of reported cases of bacterial meningitis in 1997; the number of fatalities as a result of meningitis during 1997; the steps, if any, being taken by each health board to monitor outbreaks of meningitis and to ensure the speedy detection of meningitis and the provision of immediate medical intervention to protect those at risk. [2356/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 78 and 161 together.

There are two forms of meningitis — bacterial and viral. Bacterial meningitis is usually the more serious form of the disease. The number of cases of bacterial meningitis, including meningococcal septicaemia, notified to my Department, by health board area, in the last three years is as follows:

Health Board	1995	1996	1997
Eastern	166	155	201
Midland	20	35	23
Mid-Western	21	20	33
North-Eastern	28	55	52
North-Western	5	21	14
South-Eastern	30	39	54
Southern	96	50	63
Western	16	35	36
Total	382	410	476

There were 33 deaths from bacterial meningitis, including meningococcal septicaemia, reported in 1997.

As part of my Department's response to the rise in the number of cases of meningitis in recent years, the working group on bacterial meningitis was established in 1996 under the chairmanship of the deputy chief medical officer of the Department of Health. Its remit was "to examine the incidence of bacterial meningitis and related conditions, and to make such recommendations as may be required to strengthen the surveillance and control of these conditions." The working group produced its report in January 1997 and made detailed recommendations relating to improved procedures for the diagnosis, surveillance and treatment of meningitis. These are being implemented by the health boards and other agencies concerned. The working group has continued in existence to monitor the situation and to provide advice on the surveillance and control of meningitis as required. I have asked the working group to meet again shortly to consider whether there are any further measures or procedures required in the light of recent experience.

My Department has taken a number of steps to raise awareness of meningitis. The health promotion unit has produced a revised leaflet for the information of the public generally and a leaflet for general practitioners. The health promotion unit also made arrangements recently for public information on meningitis to be carried on the RTÉ Aertel teletext service. In November 1997 an updated press facts document was issued by my Department to the national media. My Department has also provided financial assistance to the Meningitis Research Foundation to enable an information and education officer to be employed for a three year period. The foundation carries out valuable work in ensuring a high level of public awareness about meningitis and there is co-operation between the health boards and the foundation in relation to public talks and local awareness campaigns.

In November 1997 the chief medical officer of my Department wrote on my behalf to the director of public health in each health board, requesting that they take all necessary measures to ensure the highest possible awareness in relation to bacterial meningitis, principally meningococcal meningitis, among professionals, parents and the public generally. The directors were asked to circulate the updated press facts document to the provincial media.