§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Social Services if the Medical Research Council is at present involved in studying the modes of transmission and the development of a vaccine for Legionnaire's disease; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephI have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 June to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Griffiths) at columns 128–29 concerning research into the origin, spread and treatment of this disease. I understand that the council has recently awarded a further grant for the continuation of work on disease processes, mechanisms of immunity and approaches to therapy in experimental Legionella pneumophilia infections. These studies will include attempts. to immunise against infections. None of the projects supported by the MRC directly involves the study of transmission; however, I understand that it is a widely held belief that the disease is spread by means of fine water droplets.
I also understand that the public health laboratory service, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, is studying the modes of transmission of Legionnaire's disease. In addition, in 1981 my right hon. Friend commissioned an extensive environmental study on Legionnaire's disease which is being undertaken by the communicable disease surveillance centre at Colindale. The main objective of this research is to determine how frequently the bacterium may be found in water systems and to identify the design features and other factors which permit its growth and establishment.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list each case or outbreak of suspected or confirmed Legionnaire's disease notified to his Department since 1 April 1985, giving in each case the date the Department was notified, the number of persons affected and the number of deaths.
Mr. Kenneth Clarke [pursuant to his reply, 14 May 1985, c. 118]I regret that a figure provided for Birmingham was incorrect and the entry should have read:
Date notified Number of cases Deaths Birmingham 9 May 1985 1 0 I am glad to say that the patient has recovered in this isolated case in Birmingham and I apologise for the fact that a misunderstanding led to our publishing reports of his death.