HC Deb 24 November 1994 vol 250 cc314-5W
Mr. Gale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of human rabies have been identified as the result of animal attacks in(a) France, (b) Germany and (c) Benelux during each of the last five years for which records are available.

Mrs. Browning

Two cases were reported in France, one in 1991 and the other in 1992. Both were acquired outside France. The only other case in the last five years was in eastern Germany in 1990. We do not know the details of this case.

Mr. Gale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of rabies in foxes have been reported in Belgium in 1994 to date; and what was the total for 1993.

Mrs. Browning

Up to 30 June 1994, 10 cases of rabies have been reported in foxes in Belgium. There were no cases reported in 1993.

Mr. Gale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has sought regarding the number of cases of rabies identified in the past 10 years in(a) Austria, (b) the Czech Republic, (c) Slovakia, (d) Hungary, (e) Poland, (f) Germany and (g) France.

Mrs. Browning

Detailed information about the number of rabies cases occurring in Europe, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Germany and France, is available quarterly from the WHO collaborating centre for rabies surveillance and research from its headquarters in the Federal Republic of Germany. I have not sought any additional information.

Mr. Gale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the fox population of Belgium was vaccinated against rabies in the years 1992–93; and what proportion has been vaccinated to date in 1994.

Mrs. Browning

Since 1992 vaccinated baits have been spread in Belgium at the following rates:

  • Spring 1992: 9,000 sq. km
  • Autumn 1992: 8,453 sq. km.
  • Spring 1993: 8,610 sq. km.
  • Autumn 1993: 5,510 sq. km.
  • Spring 1994: 2,553 sq. km.

It is not possible to say how many of these baits were picked up by foxes

Mr. Gale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest information for the number of cases of rabies identified in foxes in northern France(a) in 1994 to date, (b) in 1993 and (c) in 1992.

Mrs. Browning

Fox rabies was reported in northern France as follows:

  • 1992: 1,000 cases
  • 1993: 198 cases
  • 1994 to date 55 cases