§ 26. Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Health if he will make brucellosis a notifiable disease; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernard Braine)No, Sir. I am advised that notification would be of little practical value because of the length of time that may elapse before the disease is recognised.
§ Mr. KitsonIs my hon. Friend aware that this is very unsatisfactory and that England, Scotland and Wales are about the only countries in Europe where brucellosis is not now a notifiable disease? As there have been serious outbreaks of the disease, will not he ask the Minister to look into the matter again?
§ Mr. BraineOur experience in this country is that delay in recognising the disease makes notification of very little help in tracing the source of infection. As my hon. Friend probably knows, the disease is not normally transmitted from man to man but is the result of contact with infected animals or by drinking infected milk. The best way to deal with it is by routine examination of untreated milk. However, in view of what my hon. Friend has said, I will ask my right hon. Friend to look at our arrangements again.