HC Deb 13 April 1970 vol 799 cc1006-7
18. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases, where and when, of anthrax, afflicting humans were notified to him since the beginning of 1969; whether these arose from imports of bonemeal from countries where anthrax is endemic; and what assurances he gave in mid-March, 1970 to striking transport workers in this connection.

Dr. John Dunwoody

As the answer is a long one, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In all, five cases were notified and all have recovered satisfactorily.

Sir G. Nabarro

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the recovery of human beings from anthrax is fortuitous and that this is a very grave notifiable disease? Is he aware of the widespread anxiety arising from the cases at Henley-on-Thames, Redbridge and elsewhere, all of which were traceable to the importation of unsterilised bonemeal from countries where anthrax is endemic among animals? Would he arrange for such importation to be wholly banned?

Dr. Dunwoody

I accept that anthrax is a potentially grave disease. I do not think that the patients' recovery was fortuitous; it was due to the medical care which they received. In three of the five cases which occurred over a two-year period there was a proven link with bonemeal or bone imported from countries where anthrax is endemic. In the two other cases the source of the infection could not be determined.

Following is the information: The five cases occurring in May, July and October, 1969, and January and February, 1970, were in Henley (Oxfordshire) Rural District, Wellingborough (Northants), Liverpool, Teesside and the London Borough of Redbridge respectively. In two of the cases the vehicle of infection was bonemeal, imported from Pakistan, and in a third it was probably bone imported from India. In the two other cases the source of the infection could not be determined. I gave no assurances to striking transport worker in mid-March; but in mid-February my Department assured the Terminal Manager of the Willesden depot of Freightliners Limited that meat and bonemeal which is sterilised for animal feed is free of anthrax risk to human beings.