§ Baroness MASHAM of ILTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases of legionnaires' disease there have been in hospitals in Britain during 1980, how many patients have died and how many are recovering; and what research is being carried out.
1552WA
§ Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNEOf the known cases of legionnaires' disease this year, 21 are considered to have acquired the infection in hospital; six have died. The Public Health Laboratory Service began research on legionnaires' disease in 1977 and in January 1979 they undertook a collaborative study to define the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the disease. Reported cases have been extensively investigated to discover possible sources and method of spread. The PHLS has also been engaged in research on the ecology of theLegionella pneumophilia organism and this is being extended in 1981. An investigation into the incidence of legionnaires' disease and other infections among package tourists and other travellers is in progress in Scotland.