§ Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to control the spread of hydatidosis in Wales.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Welsh Office has been providing funds to Powys health authority since 1989 for a five-year public education campaign on hydatid disease. The disease is generally most prevalent in sheep farming areas and the aim of this campaign is to reduce the incidence of hydatid disease through increased public awareness and the encouragement of preventive measures. Total funding to the end of 1992–93 is £119,000. Resources have been set aside to fund the campaign during the current financial year. The effectiveness of this will be evaluated in September 1994. Decisions on the future direction of the hydatid disease campaign in Wales will be taken in light of the outcome of this evaluation.
Additionally, the communicable disease surveillance centre, Wales, is currently preparing a survey into the incidence of hydatid disease in humans in Wales for the period 1984 to 1992. We hope to have the results of this shortly.