asked the Minister for Health if he has figures of the incidence in the State of brucellosis in humans; and if he will consider declaring it a notifiable disease.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brucellosis in Humans.
11.
Brucellosis is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948. The numbers of cases notified to my Department in the past five years were as follows:
|
1968 |
105 |
|
1969 |
49 |
|
1970 |
40 |
|
1971 |
77 |
|
1972 |
86 |
It is generally accepted that the disease is more prevalent in humans than these figures indicate. It is a difficult disease to diagnose and some cases may not come to notice.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider asking his Department to send out circulars at regular intervals to doctors to ensure that notifications of the disease are made? A circular on this matter has not emanated from the Department in the last ten years.
I should be quite pleased to do that.
As Deputy O'Connell has pointed out, it is not generally known by the medical profession that brucellosis is notifiable. That is possibly the reason the returns are much less than the incidence of the disease. In the last few years the incidence of brucellosis has increased tremendously in the areas with which I am familiar, around Clare and Limerick. In view of the high incidence, would the Parliamentary Secretary consider having consultations with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister for Finance with a view to the more rapid eradication of brucellosis in cattle? This would help considerably——
I have given the Deputy considerable latitude. I am anxious to assist him in getting further information but I think he has made a sufficient statement on the matter.
Brucellosis requires very lengthy treatment. Farmers and other people who have this disease cannot do their work. In addition, complications can be severe and the only way——
The Deputy is not helping the Chair by making a long statement on the matter.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider consulting with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister for Finance to discuss the matter of brucellosis generally in cattle and humans?
I should be glad to consult with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries in the first instance. I agree with the Deputy this is a very serious problem.