Neonatal Herpes is now a notifiable disease in Ireland.
Minister for Health Simon Harris has officially signed the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2018 into law, thus making neonatal Herpes a notifiable disease.
There are two types of herpes viruses: the first causes common cold sores which appear on the face, generally around the lips or nostril.
The second is associated with painful blisters or ulcers around the genital area.
The regulations were signed in the presence of John and Louise Wills, who have advocated for this since the loss of their infant daughter Eibhlin due to complications which arose from the disease.
Speaking about this, Minister Harris said: “The loss of an infant is something that most of us cannot even begin to come to terms with, much less turn into something positive.
“That is what makes the work of both John and Louise so extraordinary and powerful.
“I hope that the inclusion of neonatal Herpes simplex among the diseases that are notifiable will help, in some small way, to increase public awareness of this disease and the danger that it can represent to newborns.”
Neonatal Herpes signed into law as a notifiable disease.
“I would encourage expectant mothers, future fathers and extended family members to read Eibhlín’s story on https://t.co/6ytDq41XzD and to read the sensible precautionary measures there." @SimonHarrisTD pic.twitter.com/LVhoSoJCDu
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) December 18, 2018
All medical practitioners, including clinical directors of diagnostic laboratories, are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health(MOH)/Director of Public Health (DPH) of certain notifiable diseases, which you can see a list of here.
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