§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of hepatitis A cases confirmed in schools during the past year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellNo information on the number of hepatitis A cases confirmed in schools is held separately. However, the total number of cases of hepatitis A in school-age children in England and Wales reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre (CDSC) of the public health laboratory service for the year 1990 was 2,518 (provisional figures).
All outbreaks are reported in the communicable disease report of the CDSC. Local consultants in communicable disease control are responsible for monitoring outbreaks and advising appropriate control measures.