Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Meningitis Incidence.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

290 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children under five and 18 years of age who contracted meningitis C from October 2000 to date; the number who contacted meningitis C in the similar period in the previous year; the number of deaths in children who were vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/01]

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

291 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children if there has been a downward trend in the incidence of meningitis B in children in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24970/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.

Between October 2000 and September 2001 19 cases of group C meningococcal disease have been notified in children under five years of age, compared to 66 cases in the same period the previous year, October 1999 to September 2000. This represents a 71% reduction in group C meningo-

coccal disease in those under five years of age.

Between October 2000 and September 2001, 33 cases of group C meningococcal disease have been notified in children under 18 years of age, 19 of which in children under 5 years and 14 in children in the five to 17 age group, compared to 131 cases in the same period the previous year. This represents a 75% reduction in group C meningococcal disease in those under 18 years of age.

Since October 2000 there have been four deaths due to group C meningococcal disease, three of which were in the under 22 age group, compared to nine group C deaths in the same period the previous year. The four group C deaths that occurred in the past year were in individuals who had not been vaccinated.

In the year since the meningococcal C vaccine was introduced in Ireland it has had a very positive impact in reducing both morbidity and mortality due to group C meningococcal disease. Overall, the incidence of the disease has been reduced by 72% in respect of the population as a whole compared to the previous year and the number of group C deaths has also been reduced.

In the past 12 months there has been a 7.9% reduction in the incidence of group B meningococcal disease. Between October 2000 and September 2001, 234 cases of group B disease have been notified compared to 254 cases in the same period the previous year.