§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has concerning the level of salmonella infection in turtles and terrapins and the extent to which such infection is transmitted to humans; and if he has any proposals for relevant research.
§ Mr. DorrellI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 31 January at column617.
No information is held centrally on the level of salmonella infection in turtles and terrapins. The public health laboratory service's (PHLS) communicable disease surveillance centre, with a number of PHLS laboratories, the Medical Research Council and the London School of 48W Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will be conducting a pilot study this year on the incidence of infectious intestinal disease in the human population. This study will include an inquiry into possible risk factors, including contact with animals.