§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department is taking to promote awareness of the dangers of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy and the preventative measures available.
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§ Mr. SackvilleAdvice on the risks from toxoplasmosis is included in the Health Education Authority's "Pregnancy Book"—which is provided for women who attend antenatal clinics—and, together with other conditions, in the Department of Health's leaflet "While you are pregnant: Safe eating and how to avoid infection from food and animals", copies of which are available in the Library. Women should be given copies of the leaflet as soon as their pregnancy is confirmed and it is available from antenatal clinics, maternity units and general practitioners practices. Doctors and midwives may also give the leaflet to women who are planning to become mothers.
The Department also gives a grant of £10,000 per year to the Toxoplasmosis Trust under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.