Written question asked by Chris Huhne (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 3 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 December 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Animals: Health Hazards

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated by the National Health Service in each of the last five years for conditions contracted from animal faeces in public places.

Answer: It is not known how many people were treated for infections that were contracted from animal faeces in a public place, as this level of information is not collected. Though data on laboratory confirmed infections that can be transmitted through contact with animal faeces are available, the precise source of the majority of the infections is not known. This is because many of these infections can be transmitted through multiple routes and from a range of sources. Data on all the common infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans, including via animal faeces, are published by the Health Protection Agency.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 502 c735W; 305047
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Written Questions: Government Responses
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Animals Health hazards Infectious diseases Litter
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk