§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures published for the incidence of salmonella food poisoning of all types; and what is the year on year percentage change for each type.
§ Mr. DorrellThe latest figures for England and Wales published for the incidence of salmonella infection of all types appear in the PHLS-SVS Update on Salmonella Infection, Edition 3, April 1990 copies of which are available in the Library. These show that there were 3,768 human isolations of salmonella (all serotypes) in the first quarter of 1990; the comparable figure for 1989 is 3,946.
There are over 2,200 serotypes of salmonella. Each year in England and Wales about 200 of these different serotypes are isolated from humans. The information requested is given in the table for the 10 most prevalent serotypes in each of the years 1987, 1988 and 1989. The remaining serotypes are isolated in small numbers only and have a negligible contribution to the burden of food poisoning in this country.
§ Mr. DorrellThe information requested is not collected centrally. Information relating to Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.