§ Mr. Leachasked the Secretary of State for War whether hepatitis, after yellow fever inoculation in the British Army, is still occurring; how many cases have been recorded down to the latest date for which the records are available; and whether any of these have proved fatal.
Sir J. GriģģHepatitis is a disease endemic in all theatres of war, and its cause has not yet been established. It is contracted by men who have not been inoculated with yellow fever vaccine equally well as by those who have. A substance was at one time used in the preparation of this vaccine which became suspected of being a possible cause of hepatitis, and its use was accordingly discontinued in January, 1943. Since then, though special vigilance has been maintained, there has not been the slightest evidence which might connect the vaccine with the disease. It is not possible from records at present held to say how many cases of hepatitis could have been ascribed to yellow fever inoculation before January, 1943, or whether any of these may have proved fatal. Since that date the answer is certainly none.