§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has concerning the number of miscarriages caused by pregnant women coming into contact with chlorydiosis infected sheep.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe have assumed that the question was intended to refer to sheep infected with chlamydia psittaci. The information available for the years since 1984 is shown in the table:
Chlamydia B/Chlamydia Psittaci 1984–88 Laboratory reports to PHLS CDSC of miscarriage/abortions in cases of known contact with aborting sheep or who had ovine infections. Year Total lab reports 2Miscarriage/Abortions 1984 410 1 1986 326 2 11989 568 2 Total 2,516 25 1Provisional. 2 Evidence for ovine origin is difficult to determine.