HC Deb 03 November 1986 vol 103 cc352-3W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the current number of acquired immune deficiency syndrome sufferers in the United Kingdom; and at what rate this is increasing;

(2) what is the estimated total annual cost to public funds of treating acquired immune deficiency syndrome sufferers in the United Kingdom; and what is the total amount being spent on research into the disease.

Mr. Newton

At the end of September 1986, 512 cases of AIDS in the United Kingdom had been reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre of whom 250 had died. The number of cases has been doubling approximately every 10 months. The Government-funded Medical Research Council is responsible for co-ordinating AIDS research in the United Kingdom. I understand that 15 special project grants have been awarded at a cost of £1.5 million.

I regret that information on the total annual cost to public funds of treating AIDS patients is not available. However, there is some information available on the cost of treating individual AIDS patients and I refer my hon. Friend to my predecessor's reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 17 July at column 612.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any persons have contracted acquired immune deficiency syndrome as the result of treating an acquired immune deficiency syndrome patient.

Mr. Newton

No health care worker is known to have contracted AIDS in the United Kingdom as a result of treating an AIDS patient. One nurse has developed antibodies to the AIDS virus following an accident with a contaminated needle.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of any babies born in the United Kingdom who are (i) acquired immune deficiency syndrome carriers and (ii) suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Mr. Newton

By the end of September, two cases of babies with AIDS in the United Kingdom had been reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre. There have also been reports of babies who may be infected with the AIDS virus. These cases are unconfirmed and are being investigated.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any persons have received transfused blood contaminated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus.

Mr. Newton

Since October 1985 the national blood transfusion service has screened all blood donations for

Country 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 to June Approx Rate/100,000 of cumulative totals
Austria 13 28 36 0.480
Belgium 38 65 139 171 1.730
Canada 31 84 222 522 699 2.800
Denmark 7 19 37 68 93 1.820
Federal Republic of Germany 11 48 203 377 538 0.880
France 79 224 573 859 1.560
Greece 1 6 13 22 0.220
Iceland 2 1.000
Ireland 8 10 0.280
Italy 1 6 39 140 300 0.520
Japan 11 15 0.010
Luxembourg 3 3 0.750
Netherlands 3 18 48 98 146 1.010
Norway 5 17 24 0.570
Portugal 1 2 18 28 0.270
Spain 3 13 37 83 177 0.460
Sweden 4 16 42 57 0.690
Switzerland 9 20 44 100 138 2.120
Turkey 2 2 0.004
United Kingdom 3 28 77 287 389 0.690
United States of America 1,329 4,091 9,605 18,947 24,491 10.500

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