§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the precautions which exist against the introduction of cholera into the United Kingdom, in view of the outbreak in Pakistan and India and contacts with both those countries.
§ Mr. AlisonWe are satisfied that all reasonable precautions are being taken. Since September, 1970 international certificates26W of vaccination against cholera have been required from all travellers who, during the five days beforehand, have been in any cholera-infected area. Those without a valid certificate are placed under surveillance. All travellers arriving from countries outside Europe, North America and North Africa are given a yellow warning card advising them what to do if they become ill within 21 days. Since only a proportion of those vaccinated derive protection and then only for a limited period, there is little evidence that vaccination against cholera is of value in preventing its spread. Medical officers of health and laboratories have been advised of measures to be taken in the diagnosis and prevention of cholera.
I am advised that there is no certain way of preventing the introduction of cholera organisms into the United Kingdom short of a complete cessation of travel to and from cholera-infected areas, but if a case did occur here our high standards of environmental and food hygiene make its spread unlikely except perhaps to the patient's intimate household contacts.