Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

414. To ask the Minister for Health if he is peer-reviewing the recent report on a suspected cluster of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the Duleek area of County Meath and if he must report it to any reporting mechanism at European Union level [11261/16]

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

418. To ask the Minister for Health if he will implement any of the recommendations contained in a recently published Health Service Executive report into the possible causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome clusters in Duleek in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11276/16]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 418 together.

I am aware that the HSE has published a report on claims of an association between Guillain-Barré Syndrome and environmental conditions in Duleek, Co. Meath. The report has found no evidence of any environmental issue having a causal association with Guillan Barré Syndrome in the Duleek area. Indeed the number of Guillan Barré Syndrome patients in the Duleek area, during the time period investigated, is in keeping with the expected incidence of the disease for this time period allowing for the wide variation in small numbers when the incidence of rare diseases is examined.

I understand that the report, which has not yet been formally submitted to my Department, has three recommendations. These are:

- A national Environmental and Health Unit should be formed to assess alleged risks to public health from environmental stressors;

- This unit should put a surveillance system in place to monitor health data and assess any unusual incidents of disease or syndromes in the population; and

- As there is currently no national register for rare diseases including Guillan Barre Syndrome, consideration should be given to establishing such a register as per the recommendation in the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland 2014-2018 for an All-Ireland Network of Rare Disease Registries.

These recommendations are solely within the remit of the HSE and I have asked Dr. Kevin Kelleher, Assistant National Director, Health and Well Being, Public Health at the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.