§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the incidence of hepatitis in the population; if it varies by age; and what is the practice of the blood transfusion service regarding donations from possible sufferers.
§ Mrs. CurrieLaboratory reports of acute clinical hepatitis B indicate annual total cases of between 1,000 and 1,200 from 1975 to 1983, about 2,000 in 1984, and declining to approximately 1,300 in 1986. Almost three quarters of cases have been male and, among patients of both sexes, about three quarters have been young adults. The disease remains uncommon among children and the elderly.
Regional transfusion directors have clinical responsibility for the acceptance of blood donors. The national blood transfusion service does not collect blood from those believed to be at risk of infection and all potential donors are asked whether they have recently had jaundice. All donations are tested for hepatitis B antigen.