asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number of cases of infantile paralysis which occurred in County Cork from June, 1952, to date and, further, if he will indicate, in detail, the regulations advised by his Department to be adopted for the prevention of the spread of this disease and state whether these regulations were complied with by the County Cork health authority in all cases which occurred in that county during the period mentioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Infantile Paralysis.
11 cases of infantile paralysis have been notified to my Department from County Cork in the period June, 1952, to-date.
The various health authorities have been recommended in departmental circulars issued from time to time to take certain precautionary measures to safeguard the public health in the event of an outbreak of infantile paralysis. These precautions include the immediate isolation of cases and disinfection of their homes, quarantine of family contacts, propaganda and advice by public health personnel regarding the protection of food from contamination, the boiling of milk and water for domestic purposes, the destruction of flies and personal hygiene.
The decision as to what precautionary measures are called for in a particular case is one for the chief medical officer of the area and so far as my Department is aware adequate precautions have been taken by the staff of the local health authority.
In view of the Minister's statement, might I ask if he would take into consideration any information that I may be able to put at his disposal in connection with certain specific cases?
Certainly.