§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice has been given to local authorities about the prevention of infection by toxocara canis.
§ Sir George YoungNone. But local authorities have powers to prohibit dogs from children's play areas in parks and similar places by means of byelaws which need to be confirmed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Most local authorities also have copies of the report of the working party on dogs.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the incidence of toxocara canis infection in humans in each year since 1965.
§ Sir George YoungToxocara canis is not a notifiable disease, but, in a 10 per cent. sample of in-patients in National Health Service hospitals in England and46W Wales, one case was recorded in 1974 and there were two cases in 1975. Further, five cases were reported to the public health laboratory service in 1977 and 10 cases in 1978.