HC Deb 21 April 1980 vol 983 cc66-7W
Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for preventing the spread of cyst disease from dogs to humans.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The best way to prevent the spread of hydatid—cyst—disease in Mid-Wales is to alert the community to its dangers and the measures needed to eliminate it, namely, disposing of dead sheep, keeping dogs away from possibly infected meat and worming them regularly. To this end the Powys area health authority and the State veterinary service plan to intensify the campaign they are mounting through the circulation of an advisory leaflet, advisory visits and discussions and publicity at local events. The Powys area health authority is also about to undertake a serological survey to identify patients and to gather more information about the level of exposure to the disease.