Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 March 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 25 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) farmers, (b) members of farming families and (c) farm workers were reported as suffering from Weil's disease in each year since 1997. - Inc table.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) farmers, (b) members of farming families and (c) farm workers were reported as suffering from Weil's disease in each year since 1997. [161550] Miss Melanie Johnson: Weil's disease is a serious infection with leptospiral bacteria. Not all leptospiral infections will result in the development of Weil's disease. Data collected include, but do not distinguish between farmers and their family members. The figures for all laboratory-confirmed reports of leptospiral infections in England and Wales since 1997 are set out as follows. Figures are not yet available for 2003. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Total Leptospirosis human Infections in farmers Infections in farm workers infections (including family members) 1997 39 7 4 1998 29 8 4 1999 41 3 5 2000 54 14 5 2001 27 5 3 2002 147 10 3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Data are provisional Source: Health Protection Agency Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre 1997-2002

Secondary information