Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia told Parliament today that since April, 180 cases of slapped cheek syndrome had been reported in various government schools in Malta and Gozo.

Answering a question by Clyde Puli (PN), Dr Farrugia said the total number of cases could not be assessed as there is no onus for cases to be notified to the health authorities.

Dr Farrugia laid on the Table of the House a list of the cases in schools which showed that the highest number of cases, 27, was reported in Mellieħa, followed by Xgħajra (Żabbar) 20, Mosta 18, Birkirkara 15, Attard 13, St Venera 12 and Żurrieq 10.

Other cases were reported in Qormi and San Ġwann (nine each), Valletta and Rabat (seven), St Paul’s Bay and Mġarr (six), Żejtun and Fgura (five), Naxxar, Balzan and Victoria (four), Pembroke, Kappara (three), Għaxaq, Mqabba and Kerċem (two) and a case each in Gudja, Sliema, Mtarfa, Siġġiewi and Paola.

On the same subject, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo told Joseph Cassar (PN) that all expectant mothers who worked in schools where slapped cheek syndrome was reported were given two extra months of maternity leave. The decision was taken as a result of consultation by the ministry and the Malta College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and with the Health and Safety Authority.

Mr Bartolo assured Dr Cassar that his ministry would continue to take all necessary steps to safeguards workers, including quarantine leave, if this was the case.