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51
Section 6.
Prevalence of, and Control oyer, Infectious
Diseases.
Infectious Diseases Generally.
Diphtheria.
The total number of cases notified in 1926 was 162, as compared
with 136 in 1925.
At only one place was there anything that could be considered an
out-break. This was in a large Residential School in the Borough
where there were 85 scholars, 17 resident staff and a non-resident staff
upwards of 5 in number.
On the 27th May, 1926, a case of Diphtheria was removed to
hospital; the usual precautionary measures were taken by the Department
in the way of disinfection, etc.
On June 22nd 2 other cases were removed, 1 of which died on 7th
August: and on June 27th a further case occurred.
O •
The Medical Officer of the School, in consultation with the Public
Health Department, agreed, in view of the approaching school holidays'
that it was desirable for bacteriological examinations to be made of all
the children and staff before they were permitted to leave.
This was done, and 15 cases gave a positive result. They were, by
arrangement, notified and removed to hospital.
On the 30th July, after a negative result of each remaining person
in the institution had been obtained, the scholars and staff dispersed.
The school premises were again thoroughly disinfected, and the
Medical Officers of Health of the districts to which the scholars proceeded
wore notified in every case.
Of the company of scholars and staff so dispersed, I am informed
that 2 children subsequently developed diphtheria and were certified,
and that another case developed very suspicious symptoms.
I am consulting with the medical staff of this institution on the
question of the inmates of this school being immunised with anti-toxin.