33 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of meningitis in the past six months; the progress, if any, made on establishing a national communicable disease surveillance centre; and the resources he is investing in publicising and tackling meningitis. [4354/97]

Limerick East): The number of cases of bacterial meningitis, including meningococcal septicaemia, notified to my Department in the period 1 August 1996 to 31 January 1997 was 213. The number of cases of viral meningitis notified during the same period was 45.

The steps which have been taken to raise awareness of meningitis include an interview given by me to the national media to alert parents, the public at large and doctors of the importance of being extra vigilant for meningitis. Press Facts on Meningitis were issued to the national media. My Department's Health Promotion Unit distributed a revised meningitis leaflet to the health boards and a new leaflet for general practitioners has also been distributed to the health boards. The Health Promotion Unit is also providing financial assistance for the production of a meningitis leaflet by the Union of Students in Ireland and the Meningitis Research Foundation.