§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if a same-strain link has to be established between two cases of meningitis before his Department describes them as a cluster. [13017]
§ Mr. Horam[holding answer 27 January 1997]: No, the definition of a cluster does not require any microbiological link.
When laboratory confirmation of meningococcal disease is not available for one or more cases in a potential cluster, a very common situation, management guidance varies from case to case. Consultants in communicable disease control are advised to seek expert advice from the Public Health Laboratory Service. Advice is always available and additional guidance on the management of clusters of meningococcal disease was included in a letter sent to all doctors from the chief medical officer on 3 January and in the PHLS's communicable disease report review of 10 January. Copies are available in the Library.