§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money has been spent by his Department on (a) research into and (b) publicity and health education regarding meningococcal infections in (i) the last year and (ii) the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 11 February 1987, c. 283–84]: One specific research project (the Stonehouse meningococcal survey) has been funded to a total of £57,000. The Department has not initiated a central publicity or health education campaign, but district health authorities where the disease is prevalent have taken their own initiatives, while the public health laboratory service is working both on the development of a vaccine and on the nationwide surveillance of the different types of meningococci. It is not possible to provide figures for the cost of these activities.
§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to encourage early diagnosis of meningococcal infections and an increase in public awareness of the disease and its symptoms.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 11 February 1987, c. 283–84]: These infections tend to develop very suddenly 591W and therefore they rarely allow early diagnosis, but doctors are invariably anxious to have suspected cases of meningitis investigated and treated. This is borne out by the referral to hospital of many children who turn out not to have meningitis.
Outbreaks of meningococcal infection tend to be sporadic and relatively rare, and in areas where cases do occur, the medical officer for environmental health takes responsibility for necessary action, including alerting the public and doctors as necessary.
§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will add all meningococcal infections, and in particular meningococcal septicaemia, to the list of notifiable diseases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 11 February 1987, c. 283–84]: The list of notifiable diseases is kept under constant review. I have noted the views expressed recently by the medical profession on septicaemia, and the suggestion that it should be included is being considered.
Number of deaths with underlying cause meningococcal meningitis (ICD (8, 9) 036.0)1 registered in England and Wales to usual residents of England, Counties of Avon and Gloucestershire, and District Health Authorities (DHA) of Frenchay, Bristol and Weston, and Bath 1970 to 1985 Year Area of usual residence England County of Gloucestershire County of Avon Frenchay district health authority Bristol and Weston district health authority Bath district health authority 1970 50 — n/a n/a n/a n/a 1971 31 — n/a n/a n/a n/a 1972 38 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a 1973 63 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a 1974 72 — — — — — 1975 51 — 1 — — — 1976 49 1 1 — — — 1977 31 — 3 1 1 1 1978 35 1 — — — — 1979 30 1 1 1 — — 1980 25 — — — — — 1981 28 1 — — — — 1982 20 — 1 — — — 1983 17 — — — — — 1984 25 — — — — — 1985 33 — 1 — 1 — 1 International Classification of Diseases 8th and 9th revisions. n/a = Not available.