§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have for the implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force report on E. coli 0157. [88945]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department has welcomed the report of the task force on E. coli 0157and has accepted its recommendations. Many of the recommendations have already been implemented. These include research into the epidemiology of E. coli 0157 infection, steps to increase the awareness of both the public and the medical profession of the risks of this infection and how to avoid them, and the production of guidance for farmers, schools and others at risk from recreational activities.
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§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how the Government plan to reduce the number of cases of E. coli 0157; [88946]
(2) what plans the Government have for improving the speed of detection of E. coli 0157 bacterium; [88948]
(3) what plans the Government have for the introduction of a standard testing protocol for the bacterium E. coli 0157 across the UK. [88949]
§ Ms BlearsThe Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) undertakes microbiological and epidemiological surveillance of E. coli 0157 infections and has given a high priority to work on Vero cytotoxin-producing E. coli 0157.
Research by the PHLS has led to significant improvements in laboratory methods for the detection of E. coli 0157 from clinical specimens as well as animals and foods. They produced guidelines on the testing of samples for E. coli 0157 in 2000. These guidelines include advice from the advisory committee on microbiological safety of food that all diarrhoeal stool samples submitted to public health laboratories for testing should be examined for E. coli 0157. Shared protocols for testing E. coli 0157 are being developed with the veterinary laboratories agency to ensure consistency in both animal and human diagnostics. In addition to providing full identification and typing for all E. coli, the PHLS reference laboratory also subtypes E. coli 0157 using a range of methods, and is currently evaluating a simple non-invasive test for antibodies to E. coli 0157 in saliva. Molecular methods for the detection of E. coli 0157 are now used routinely.
The Food Standards Agency has set itself a target of reducing foodborne disease by 20 per cent., by April 2006. This includes foodborne cases of E. coli 0157. The strategy for achieving this target, which was published on the Agency website (www.food.gov.uk) in July 2001, involves a range of measures to reduce microbial contamination of foods and to improve food handling and preparation. Laboratory reports of E. coli 0157 in the UK fell from 1,139 cases in 2000 to a provisional figure of 1,049 in 2001.
The Department has taken steps to increase the awareness of both the public and the medical profession of the risks of this infection and how to avoid them. The Department has worked with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Scottish Executive, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Education and Skills in producing guidance for farmers, for schools and for those at risk from recreational activities. The Department, together with the HSE, is also planning to undertake a renewed educational and public awareness campaign on the risks in the agricultural environment.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to set up a central data base on the incidence, diagnosis and treatment of E. coli 0157 to assist in the treatment and diagnosis and long term monitoring of the effects of infection from E. coli 0157. [88987]
§ Ms BlearsThe Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) is developing plans for a central database on the incidence, diagnosis and treatment of E. coli 0157. All 125W food-borne incidence of confirmed E. coli 0157 is already recorded by the PHLS communicable disease surveillance centre.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will consult the charities and voluntary organisations concerned with the issue of infection from E coli-0157 on the future development of services for research, diagnosis and treatment of E coli-0157 related conditions; [88992]
(2) what plans the Government have for research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the infection by E coli-0157 and the long-term care of those suffering from the consequences of infection; [88991]
(3) what research the Government have undertaken into whether the use of certain types of antibiotics can help spread the E coli-0157 bacteria in patients; and what action is planned as a result. [88947]
§ Ms BlearsThere are a number of research projects in progress that are directed at both providing a better understanding of the virulence mechanisms of E coli-0157 and leading to improved typing methods for application in epidemiological investigations. A number of case-control studies have already been conducted in the UK and have helped to define the risk factors for E coli-0157infection.
Enhanced surveillance of E coli-0157 infections has been co-ordinated by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). A study of childhood haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is also being conducted by the PHLS in association with the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit, the British Association of Paediatric Nephrologists, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health and the Royal Hospitals Aberdeen national health service trust.
The use of antibiotics for the treatment of uncomplicated diarrhoea is discouraged. The Department has issued specific advice to medical personnel to ensure that they are aware that the use of antibiotics for the treatment of E coli-0157 may increase the risk of severe kidney disease.
The task force on E coli-0157 consulted widely with relevant charities and voluntary organisations. Officials representing both the Department and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) regularly meet representatives of HUS charities to discuss matters including research, diagnosis and treatment. The FSA has regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss its policies and their implementation.