§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in furtherance of his policy of preventing unnecessary local alarm and social difficulties, what special segregation and other measures are taken in the public interest in respect of the families of leprosy cases diagnosed in Great Britain, in view of the fact that this is a notifiable and infectious disease.
§ Mr. SnowSegregation of leprosy patients on public health grounds is not normally necessary, as the possibility of transmission of the disease under normal social conditions in this country is virtually negligible. Family contacts of patients suffering from potentially communicable leprosy are however examined every six to twelve months for early signs of the disease, and child contacts are given B.C.G. vaccination if appropriate.578W The disease usually ceases to be even potentially communicable after a few months' treatment.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what countries abroad were the 20 cases of leprosy, diagnosed and notified in Great Britain during the first six months of 1969, contracted.