Number of meningitis cases

Summary

The requester asked for monthly and age-grouped meningitis case data for the Isle of Man between July 2021 and July 2022. Manx Care disclosed the total number of cases (4) but withheld the specific breakdown to prevent the identification of individuals due to privacy concerns.

Key Facts

• The total number of meningitis cases recorded between July 2021 and July 2022 was 4.
• Detailed data by month and age group was withheld to protect patient privacy.
• The authority determined that disclosing the breakdown would allow affected individuals to be identified.
• The request was processed under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• An internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner is available if the requester is dissatisfied.

Data Disclosed

• 4 persons
• July 2021
• July 2022
• 2025-08-07
• 2025-08-28
• 4859065

Exemptions Cited

• Section 25(b)(i) & (ii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Absolutely exempt personal information)
• Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation (Data protection principles)
• Article 6 and Article 9 of the GDPR (Conditions for lawful processing)

Original Request

Number of meningitis cases recorded by month and age group between July 2021 and July 2022.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000

Our ref: 4859065 28 August 2025

Dear

We write further to your request, received 7 August 2025, which states:

"Number of meningitis cases recorded by month and age group between July 2021 and July 2022."

Response

The number of Meningitis cases between July 2021 and July 2022 is 4 persons. Due to the low number if information was provided by month and age it is possible that those affected could be identified. To respect the rights of those affected to privacy of their personal data the below exemption has been applied.
s25(b)(i)&(ii) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because it is absolutely exempt under section 25 of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information). The reasons why that exemption applies are that: • Manx Care is satisfied that the information amounts to personal data of which you are not the data subject; and • Manx Care is satisfied that disclosure of the information would contravene one of the data protection principles as set out at Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation as it applies in the Isle of Man pursuant to the Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018, namely that Manx Care can only disclose the information where it would be fair, lawful and meet one of the conditions for lawful processing in Article 6 [or if you are dealing with sensitive personal data “and one of the conditions in Article 9 of the GDPR and Schedule 2 of the Implementing Regulations is met”] and in this case, none of those conditions have been met.

Please quote the reference number 4859065 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely