§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of cases of meningitis in the last three months of 1996; and if he will make a statement. [11064]
§ Mr. HoramThere were 368 laboratory confirmed reports of meningococcal infection by the Public Health Laboratory Service's meningococcal reference laboratory in the last three months of 1996. The latest mid-year to mid-year data show the number of cases in 1996 are currently running very slightly lower than in 1995:
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PHLS confirmed laboratory reports of meningococcal infection 1 July-22 December 1995 654 1 July-22 December 1996 585 Meningitis remains a rare, but serious, disease with a peak in the number of cases in children under one year and a second smaller peak in late teenagers. High awareness of the disease and parental alertness remain the best general protection which is why information on meningitis is targeted in these areas. Health visitors provide new parents with the Health Education Authority's leaflet, "A Guide to Childhood Immunisations", which includes advice on recognising the signs and symptoms of meningitis. The Department of Health and the National Meningitis Trust collaborated in providing an information leaflet for parents of small children and teenagers. The HEA also produced a leaflet, "Look out for your mate", targeted at students, which has been very widely distributed to colleges and universities. The Chief Medical Officer recently wrote to all doctors giving up-to-date advice on the early diagnosis of suspected cases of meningococcal infection and on the need for antibiotic treatment and urgent referral to hospital.