§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the recent severe flooding led to any danger to health from open sewers; and if flood victims in any area were offered vaccination against hepatitis.
§ Dr. VaughanContamination of drinking water by sewage following flooding would lead to an increased risk of gastro-intestinal disease. We have not received any reports of this nor have there been any reports of an increase in gastro-intestinal illness or of notifiable waterborne diseases since the recent flooding. The Department has not received any reports that flood victims have been immunised against hepatitis A, and I would not have expected health authorities to have recommended this.