Vol. 496 No. 7
73 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated number of women with possible hepatitis C infection from contaminated anti-D preparations who have not been traced; the reason this is the case; the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that all women at risk are tested at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23968/98]
Since 1994, the BTSB has conducted the most comprehensive testing programme of its kind ever mounted through a major public awareness programme. Under this programme, all recipients of anti-D — sourced and prepared in Ireland — between 1970 and 18 February 1994 were invited to come forward for testing. To date, 65,000 anti-D recipients have been tested under the pro-gramme. Approximately 12,000 recipients who indicated that they received anti-D during the years 1977 and 1978, and a further 18,000 recipients who indicated that they received the product during the years 1991 to 1994, have been tested. These numbers are greater than the number of infectious or potentially infectious vials of anti-D issued during those years.
Following a cross-matching exercise carried out by the BTSB between the anti-D cards returned by hospitals, and the database of individuals tested under the screening programme, it appeared that approximately 2,000 people who may have received infectious or potentially infected product do not appear to have been tested. However, as the information contained on the anti-D cards may now be out-of-date, and based on the numbers of recipients of anti-D during the relevant years who have been tested, it is likely that the majority of these 2,000 individuals have, in fact, been tested. In addition, some individuals have elected not to be tested. It is estimated that a small number of individuals who have not been tested may show evidence of having been infected by hepatitis C. The national blood screening programme remains in place, and testing is available free of charge through the individual's general practitioners.
The BTSB has recently re-launched an advertising campaign to encourage any individuals at risk to be tested. Information packs have been sent to 2,060 general practitioners, and posters for display in GP surgeries are being prepared. An international advertising campaign is also being launched via Irish centres abroad and Irish media links to emigrants.
