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MALARIA One case of malaria was notified during the year and investigations
showed that the infection had been contracted abroad.
INFLUENZA- This disease was not prevalent during the year. It caused 4 deaths
as compared with 2 in 1954, 26 in 1953, 4 in 1952 and 33 in 1951.
The Medical Research Council are continuing their efforts to find an effective
influenza vaccine.
MUMPS. CHICKEN POX. GERMAN MEASLES - These diseases are not notifiable, but
cases are brought to the notice of the Department through schools, health visitors,
etc. During the year, the following cases were recorded:- mumps, 51; chicken pox
172; and German measles. 10. The latter disease has received considerable attention
recently because its occurrence in a mother during the early months of pregnancy may
result in the child being born with a congenital defect.
FEVER HOSPITALS - The Borough is served by the South Middlesex Infectious
Diseases Hospital, but on occasion, accommodation in other fever hospitals of the
North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board is used. During the year, 128
patients from the Borough were admitted to these hospitals. Close contact is
maintained between the hospitals and the Health Department, so that any necessary
action can be taken.
DISINFECTION The disinfection of bedding, etc., is done at the South Middlesex
Infectious Diseases Hospital, while the disinfection of homes is carried out by the
disinfectors on the Health Department staff. In 1946, after considering a report on
the subject, the Council decided to stop terminal disinfection of rooms and bedding
"except in cases of smallpox or where the Medical Officer of Health considers such
disinfection to be advisable During the year one room was disinfected and 7 lots
of bedding destroyed.
LABORATORY Certain routine bacteriological work is done in the laboratory at
the Health Department- When more detailed investigation is required, specimens are
sent to the National Public Health Laboratory Service, The number of specimens
examined during 1955 was 1 497 The majority of these specimens were taken during
the investigation of dysentery and food poisoning.
FOOD POISONING Section 17 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, states, ""If a
registered medical practitioner becomes aware, or suspects that a patient whom he is
attending within the district of any local authority is suffering from food poisoning,
he shall forthwith send to the Medical Officer of Health of that district a certificate
stating
(a) the name age and sex of the patient and the address of the premises where
the patient is and
(b) particulars of the food poisoning from which he is or is suspected to be,
suffering.
If the Health Department is to have a real chance of tracing the origin and
source of food poisoning, they should be on the job as soon as food poisoning is
suspected. Delay in notification continues to hamper the investigation of cases.