§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of meningitis among Cardiff students have been reported since 28 September; and if he will list the location at which each sufferer was first diagnosed, indicating the date. [8727]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThere have been seven cases of meningococcal infection, including both meningitis and septicaemia forms of the disease, reported amongst 339W Cardiff students since 28 September 1996. Details are given in the following table.
Cases of meningococcal infection among Cardiff students Case number Hospital Date admitted Date diagnosed1 1 Royal Gwent, Newport 16 October 1996 16 October 1996 2 University Hospital of Wales 16 November 1996 16 November 1996 3 University Hospital of Wales 26 November 1996 28 December 1996 4 University Hospital of Wales 28 November 1996 28 December 1996 5 University Hospital of Wales 27 November 1996 29 November 1996 6 University Hospital of Wales 29 November 1996 29 November 1996 7 University Hospital of Wales 2 December 1996 25 December 1996 1 Refers to the date of clinical diagnosis as cases may not be microbiologically confirmed until several days later. 2 Admitted for observation and commenced on treatment as a precautionary measure from 2 December 1996.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of meningitis that have occurred in Wales since 20 September his Department assessed to have been(a) part of a cluster and (b) isolated instances. [8798]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThere have been 44 notified cases of meningococcal infection, including both meningitis and septicaemia, reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre, Wales since 20 September 1996. There has been one reported cluster. This centred around the university halls, Penylan, Cardiff. A cluster is usually understood as more than one case reported, in a single setting, in a short period of time.