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Measles
The incidence of measles fell during 1964. 791 cases
were notified (1962 during the previous year). The
majority of cases occurred in children under the age of
10 years, mainly in the 5 10 year group.
Efforts continue to produce a vaccine which will be
effective in preventing measles without also causing
unpleasant side effects in the recipients However, many
still doubt whether the general use of such a vaccine
would be justifiable in Western Countries, although there
is the argument that measles is a more serious disease
than is usually believed.
The trial of measles vaccine during a year of
expected high incidence of the disease should yield interesting
information.
Basillary Dysentery- (Some)
There were 38 notified cases of dysentery during 1964
(apparently a considerable improvement on the 220 cases
notified during 1963)- The word apparently' is used
with deliberation since many people appear to be conditioned
to the fact that a tummy upset' is not an unusual
occurrence in their relatives and friends and can be
regarded quite casually Such upsets' may never reach
the family doctor (and hence undergo bacteriological
investigation) since many are mild and can be easily
treated by simple home remedies.
However, these digestive disturbances can be the
cause of much discomfort and distress, as well as loss of
working time. They are a disgrace in a civilised
community where almost everyone has access to the health
education which explains frankly that such digestive
troubles are caused by dirty habits in food handlers or
consumers and that with care and commonsense these infections
would not occur in this country.
Food Poisoning
Notifications of these illnesses numbered 33 during
1964 (there were 14 during 1963) with no noticeable seasonal
variation
In the majority of cases (22) the responsible agent
could not be identified, but the fact remains that, as in
the case of Dysentery these are preventable diseases,
information on their mode of spread ran be widely disseminated,
but if some members of the community do not cooperate
we must expect needless illness to continue.