Michael Ring
Ceist:217 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of recorded outbreaks of tuberculosis in County Mayo in the past 10 years. [13962/03]
Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Outbreaks.
Information from the Western Health Board indicates that outbreaks of TB in County Mayo from 1994 – 2002, inclusive, were as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
1994 |
15 |
|
1995 |
2 |
|
1996 |
3 |
|
1997 |
6 |
|
1998 |
4 |
|
1999 |
11 |
|
2000 |
8 |
|
2001 |
5 |
|
2002 |
2 |
Michael Ring
Ceist:218 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the outbreak of tuberculosis that took place in County Mayo where a person died from it; if the public were notified of this outbreak of tuberculosis; the precautions which have been taken now in relation to the people who work where the person who died did; the precautions which are being taken for the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13963/03]
I understand from the Western Health Board that the post-mortem results on an individual who died in one of the board's facilities in April 2003 indicated that tuberculosis was present at the time of death. On the advice of the board's public health specialist, contact tracing of all "at risk" persons was carried out in accordance with the board's agreed procedures. A consultant respiratory physician advised the general public by local radio on the low level of risk associated with TB. All staff members working at the facility in question have been informed of the outbreak. The occupational health physician has been to the facility twice to address staff concerns and all staff have been given the opportunity to visit their own GP. Clients infected with or suspected of having TB are put under the care of the board's medical team and are nursed in accordance with established protocols. Any ongoing concerns for staff and the general public are addressed by the board as they arise.