Spanish move to address latex allergy rates

High rates of latex allergy continue to afflict Spanish healthcare workers, prompting national allergology and clinical immunology association SEAIC to establish a committee to address the issue. An estimated 3-10% of all healthcare workers are thought to have an allergic reaction upon contact with latex. The figure is far higher among certain patient groups, however: up to 50% of people who have been operated more than once or who have spina bifida, claims the Madrid-based group. "In recent years, the issue of latex allergy has become a healthcare and social problem of the first order," said the committee's co-ordinator, Dr Nieves Cabanes. In addition to acting as a source of information and support, the committee is to compile detailed data of the problem, to establish its true extent and be in a better position to adopt preventive measures, said SEAIC.