View report page

100
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SCHOOLS.
There was a large increase in the number of cases of notifiable
infectious diseases in children of school age in 1955. when compared
with the previous year. A total of 535 notifications being
received, as against 299 for 1954. This increase was to be expected
and is accounted for by the rise in the number of cases of measles.
Outbreaks of this disease usually occur in alternate years, that is to
to say, when a large number of non-immune children are congregated
at school. In other words, in the year following an epidemic,
there are normally too few susceptibles left in the schools to allow
of an outbreak, as one attack of measles usually confers a life-long
immunity. Four hundred and thirty-three cases of measles were
notified (123 in 1954). and six of these were admitted to hospital.
Thirty-eight cases of Scarlet Fever were notified as against
forty-six during the previous year. The infection continued to be
mild in character and only three of these cases were admitted to
hospital.
Notifications of Whooping Cough showed a sharp decline,
49 cases occurring as against 118 during 1954. Two of these cases
were admitted to hospital.
Six cases of Poliomyelitis occurred in children of school age.
Three were paralytic and three non-paralytic, and all cases were
isolated in hospital. There were no child deaths from this disease.
In addition to the above, 3 cases of Dysentery. 4 of Pneumonia
and 2 cases of Food Poisoning were notified.
No case of Diphtheria occurred in the area during 1955. nor
were any new cases of Tuberculosis in children of school age
notified.