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53
Scarlet Fever.
Fifty-eight cases were notified during the year, 22 of which were
removed to hospital, and the remainder home nursed. One hundred
and eleven cases were notified in 1954. There were no " return cases,"
and no deaths from this disease. Scarlet Fever continues to be a mild
infection with the occasional severe case cropping up for no apparent
reason. There is little doubt that, generally speaking, the disease has
so lost its terrors, that there must be quite a number of missed cases.
Every year there must be people who get sore throats with rashes
so slight and trivial that the latter are not even noticed, and it is well
to remember that an attack of tonsillitis without a rash can often be a
much more serious illness than the modern type of scarlet fever.
Smallpox.
The continued absence of this disease is a cause for congratulation
and thankfulness, but we have to be constantly on our guard against
its importation with the ever-increasing speed of travel between different
parts of the world. During the course of the year, three
suspected contacts of cases in other countries came under the supervision
of the department, but in no instance did anything develop.
There is also a steady call on the department to stamp and sign
International Certificates of Vaccination, which are not valid until so
countersigned.
Every year re-vaccination is offered to all members of the staff
of the Health Department.
I am indebted to the County Medical Officer for the following
figures showing the current position with regard to vaccination in the
Urban District.
A total of 889 residents received Primary vaccination and 170
Re-vaccination during 1955.