Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Monitoring Diseases.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

168 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children the new and effective measures he will put in place nationwide to monitor the diagnosis of new cases of brucellosis; and to prevent the human contraction of brucellosis through agricultural food products. [20680/01]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

169 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children if the new measures to monitor brucellosis comply with the EU and international health and safety standards. [20681/01]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

170 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will initiate a nationwide brucellosis research and eradication programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20683/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together.

Brucellosis is a designated notifiable disease under the Infectious Disease Regulations, 1981. With effect from 1 July 2000, cases of such diseases are notified by the health boards to the National Disease Surveillance Centre. The num ber of cases of brucellosis notified in each of the last three years is as follows:

1998	15
1999	19
2000	15 (Provisional)

Four cases of brucellosis have been reported to date in 2001. This compares to a figure of eight for the same period of 2000. My Department is not aware of any new measures to monitor the prevalence of brucellosis in Ireland.

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by the genus brucella. It is primarily a bacterial illness of livestock and human infection results from occupational exposure to infected animals or by ingestion of infected milk, dairy products or animal tissue. Symptoms of brucellosis are non-specific and include fever, headache, weakness, profuse sweating, chills, weight loss and generalised aching. The symptoms usually appear within five to ten days. Risk groups are abattoir workers, meat inspectors, farmers and veterinarians. The use of pasteurised milk and prevention of contact with infected cattle, sheep or goats will reduce the risk of infection.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

171 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will take measures to discontinue the unlicensed spreading of slurry which can be a cause of airborne infection of humans by brucellosis. [20684/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am advised that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development are considering the need for additional controls on the spreading of organic wastes from agricultural sources on land.