§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what study she has made of(a) Lassa fever, (b) Marbury disease and (c) other illnesses with respect to their possible causation by viruses from a different species.
§ Mr. SackvilleMany viruses that affect humans have an animal host and are termed zoonoses. Information on the host range comes from regular monitoring of journals and discussions with scientific and medical experts. The results of studies into the causes of Lassa fever and Marburg disease have been published. The Medical Research Council also has a simian virus committee which is attended by a Department of Health observer.