§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the lion. Member for Derbyshire, North-East in theOfficial Report, 23 January on meningitis in the North Derbyshire health authority, if he will make a statement on the 11 notified cases of meningococcal meningitis in the North Derbyshire area since October 1988.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 26 January 1989]: I understand that there is no obvious connection between the cases of meningococcal meningitis identified recently in north Derbyshire. They have affected different ages and have come from widely separated places within the district.
Where meningococcal infection has been suspected, close contacts of the patient have been given antibiotic treatment in accordance with the DNA's control of infection procedures. All general practitioners and school doctors in the district have been advised of the situation, which is being closely monitored.