§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice is given to general medical practitioners if they have a patient whom they suspect might have foot and mouth disease; and what advice is given to members of the State Veterinary Service who might be contacted by general practitioners for advice about such a patient. [HL1456]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The Department of Health advises that the risk of human infection with foot and mouth disease is extremely slight as the disease crosses the species barrier with difficulty. The department provided advice concerning the low level of risks to human health to all directors of public health for cascade to doctors on 28 February. Advice to doctors was provided by the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) in its weekly Communicable Disease Review (CDR) issued on 1 March. Doctors were advised that in the unlikely event of a suspected human case occurring in association with the current outbreak they should contact the CDSC duty doctor, who would direct them towards expert advice on management and diagnosis. The appropriate 24-hour telephone number was given in the advice. This advice is also available on the PHLS website. The department's advice to NHS Direct also included advice on human health risks and included the links to the PHLS website for patient management information and the MAFF website.
More detailed advice was provided to all consultants in communicable disease (CDDC) by way of question and answer briefing. General practitioners would normally consult with their local CCDC in the event of a case of an unusual zoonotic disease in the community. The PHLS advice was prepared in consultation with the Chief Veterinary Officer's representatives so that the State Veterinary Service was aware of the advice to be followed. The PHLS has a memorandum of understanding with the Veterinary Laboratories Agency regarding co-operation on surveillance and diagnosis of zoonotic diseases and the handling of diagnostic samples for confirmation of human disease has been agreed between the two agencies.