§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of food poisoning caused by salmonella gold coast contamination have been recorded in the last year; and what percentage of these cases can be attributed to cheese from Wyke Farms of Somerset; [11791]
(2) how many cases of food poisoning caused by salmonella gold coast contamination have been recorded in each of the district council areas of Cumbria in the last year; and what percentage of these have been attributed to cheese from Wyke Farms of Somerset. [11792]
§ Mr. HoramThe public health laboratory service reported 86 cases of infection with salmonella gold coast between January 1996 and 17 January 1997. Information is not held centrally as to their distribution between district council areas.
Epidemiological studies have been carried out on recent cases. These suggested a possible link with the consumption of cheese from Wyke Farms in 22 cases, around 25 per cent. of the total for the year. Scientific testing, using phage and molecular typing techniques, is taking place and has validated an association between the outbreak strain and some Wyke Farm cheeses. Full results are not yet available.