§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department is taking to control the current epidemic of shigella sonnei infection in schools; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleReports of shigella sonnei have recently shown a marked increase in some localities, as previously occurred in 1977 and 1984. Action for dealing with local outbreaks of such diseases is the responsibility of both the environmental health department and the district health authority's consultant in communicable disease control. An environmental health officer will normally visit the school or other establishment affected and provide on the spot advice.
The Public Health Laboratory Service also provides advice and assistance for the control of outbreaks of shigella sonnei via its 52 area and regional public health laboratories. A working group has been established by the PHLS to determine whether further steps might be taken.