§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the incidence of verocytotoxin-producing escherichia coli in each of the last five years by region. [12038]
§ Mr. HoramThe information for England and Wales is provided in the following table:
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Regional incidence of 0157 VTEC in England and Wales: 1992 to 1996 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Health authority Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate South West Thames 19 0.64 28 0.94 10 0.33 29 0.95 12 0.39 Wessex 20 0.64 16 0.51 32 1.02 76 2.54 27 0.90 Oxford 50 1.94 21 0.81 25 0.97 28 1.08 24 0.93 South Western 29 0.87 29 0.87 35 1.06 89 2.68 83 2.50 West Midlands 44 0.83 56 1.06 46 0.87 106 2.01 57 1.08 Mersey 8 0.33 10 0.41 14 0.58 25 1.04 21 0.87 North Western 64 1.59 35 0.87 36 0.90 63 1.57 64 1.59 Wales 32 1.10 31 1.07 26 0.90 81 2.79 36 1.24 Total 470 385 411 792 660 1. Date from the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, CPHL 2. Rates expressed per 100,000 using 1992 OPCS figures 3. Since 1995 all diarrhoeal stools are tested for E. coli 0157 by PHIS.