View report page

Diphtheria
Although this was the tenth year in which no cases of diphtheria were notified in the
Borough, there were a number of diphtheria carriers found in a private school.
A case of diphtheria occurred in Hammersmith and the patient's sister attended a
school in Chelsea; a number of children from this school had attended a children's party at
which the diphtheria case had been present.
Because of the seriousness of this disease, the entire school was investigated and nose
and throat swabs were submitted to the Laboratory from all children and staff at the
school — a total of 120. At the same time a letter was handed to each parent explaining the
position.
Six children were found to be diphtheria carriers and were immediately removed
from the school and admitted to hospital. Their contacts were investigated which resulted in
the discovery and removal to hospital of a further carrier.
A number of children were absent at the time of swabbing and they were swabbed in
their homes by members of my nursing staff or by their own doctors. Yet another carrier
was found and was admitted to hospital.
In view of the number of carriers found and the questionable state of immunisation
of the remaining children they were all offered immunisation which was accepted without
exception.
Having removed all the known cases from the school, it was not considered