Written Answers. - Meningitis Incidence.
Bernard Allen
Ceist:
139
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will make a statement on the situation where the number of cases of meningitis increased by almost 20% in 1999 when compared to 1998, in view of the fact that Ireland has one of the highest incidents of meningitis compare to Europe.
[16324/00]
The number of cases of bacterial meningitis notified to my Department in 1998 and 1999 was 490 and 587 respectively. The increased level of notifications of bacterial meningitis and related conditions in recent years is in part attributable to the greatly increased awareness among health professionals and the general public, as well as improved techniques for diagnosis of the condition. Nonetheless, while there continues to be much research in relation to meningitis, it is not fully understood why Ireland experiences such a different pattern of disease to other countries in Europe and elsewhere. It should be noted that, despite the increased incidence of meningitis, there has not been a corresponding increase in mortality from this condition.
The working group on bacterial meningitis, which was established in 1996 under the chairmanship of my Department's deputy chief medical officer and which published reports in 1997 and 1999, includes among its members a range of medical experts who are closely involved in dealing with meningococcal disease in Ireland. The group has prepared and issued detailed advice on the surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningitis and it continues to monitor developments, including the outcome of research, at national and international level, so as to ensure that its advice is in line with best practice.
A new conjugate vaccine to protect against Group C meningococcal disease, which represents about 40% of the disease in Ireland, is expected to become available later this year and planning is under way for its introduction into the primary childhood immunisation programme and for it to be given to older children and young people in a "catch-up" programme. It will also be important that, even after the Group C vaccine is introduced, vigilance is maintained, as there will still be a significant risk of people contracting Group B disease, which represents about 60% of the cases occurring in Ireland at present.
In recent years surveillance systems in relation to meningitis have been significantly improved. Health boards are required to notify details of cases to my Department within 24 hours of them occurring and these arrangements are operating effectively. My Department has also funded the establishment of the Meningococcal Reference Laboratory at the Children's Hospital, Temple Street and the diagnostic service provided by this laboratory has had a significant impact on case ascertainment and confirmation of the diagnosis of invasive meningococcal disease. As part of the preparations for the introduction of the new vaccine, the Meningococcal Reference Laboratory is undertaking a study to establish the sub-strains of Group C meningococcal disease currently circulating in Ireland. This will enable an analysis to be carried out after the vaccine has been introduced to establish its effect on the sub-strains of the disease in circulation.
The development of the national disease surveillance centre, which was established in 1998, will enable a much improved level of surveillance of infectious disease in Ireland and the centre will assist in the continued development of strategies to control communicable diseases, including meningitis. The centre has already developed a meningococcal disease database, which will enable the pattern of this disease to be analysed in detail.
