Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2010; the number of patients who were diagnosed with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis during the period 2007 to 2010; the services available for the treatment of infectious TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26147/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There were 427 cases of tuberculosis reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in 2010. is equates to a rate of 10.1 TB cases per 100,000 population. 12 cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) were notified to HPSC between 2007 and 2010 (see table). These are provisional data and are currently being confirmed.

Treatment of TB

Combined clinics attended by both respiratory physicians and public health staff have operated as models of good practice for some time throughout Ireland for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious TB and the evaluation of contacts of TB cases. e successful management and treatment of TB requires such a multidisciplinary approach and depends on strong working relationships between the treating physician, public health staff, nursing staff, laboratory staff and the pharmacist.

It is recommended that all cases of suspected active TB are referred to a TB clinic and have a clinical assessment at the next available clinic. If urgent assessment is required, it is recommended that the clinical team is consulted in this regard. National Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Ireland (2010) recommend that clinical assessment includes clinical, radiological (chest X-ray) and bacteriological examinations (sputum for smear microscopy and culture). e guidelines also recommend that treatment of all infectious TB cases is directed by a consultant respiratory physician/consultant in infectious diseases with appropriate training in the management and treatment of TB.