§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations and requests for help and advice he has received from Portsmouth City Council about the nature, treatment and containment of the disease known locally as the "Portsmouth Bug"; what action he has taken; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephThe Medical Officer of Health of Portsmouth informed my Department in July that his council had decided to use its powers under Section 52 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 to make an order providing that a disease defined as "acute non-bacterial gastro-enteritis" should be locally notifiable. The order was operative from 4th August to 28th September. The medical officer of health's action in publicising the symptoms and recommending dietary and hygienic precautions was taken with the support and advice of my Department's medical officers and my Department has received regular reports on the progress of the epidemic. Its origin remains unknown, but investigation is continuing.