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149
SECTION F
Prevalence of, and Control over, Infectious
and Other Diseases
By definition, epidemiology is concerned with the occurrence
and distribution of all diseases but, until recently, it had acquired
a narrower concept linking it, fortuitously, with infectious diseases.
Now that the conquest of common infectious disease is all but
complete, other non-communicable diseases are assuming relatively
greater prominence and are providing a new challenge. This will
probably resolve itself into a re-orientation of the preventive health
services, changes in clinical and laboratory techniques and assessment
of their results and, perhaps, a greater emphasis on health
education.
Although the outlook with regard to infectious disease is
bright, the threat of the importation of disease casts a shadow
over the future. Speed of travel has intensified the need for
medical supervision at ports and airports in order to arrest the
transference from abroad of some of the more serious diseases
such as tuberculosis, smallpox, leprosy, enteric infections, etc.,
and the Ministry has acknowledged the danger by the introduction
during the year of the specific legislation outlined below.
With particular reference to tuberculosis, there is no doubt
but that it constitutes a major public health problem in developing
countries and it could, on importation, become once more a
serious problem in this country. Under vigorous assault in earlier
years, epidemic tuberculosis has waned and, with it, the drive
originated by the local authorities. Many of the staff trained in
tuberculosis control have retired or, for various reasons, have
faded from the scene and there has been a general run down of
enthusiasm. However, although tuberculosis no longer has any
news value, it is still responsible for some three thousand victims
annually with approximately twenty thousand notifications. Such
figures are not insignificant and in areas of high hostel and reception
centre populations or where importation is a hazard, the
situation warrants some re-appraisal.
Legislation.—During the current year two Statutory Instruments
became operative, viz. the Public Health (Ships) (Amendment)
Regulations, 1963 and the Public Health (Aircraft) (Amendment)
Regulations, 1963. From 1st August, these Regulations
enable the Port and Airport Health Officers respectively to require
travellers to produce valid International Vaccination Certificates
in respect of smallpox, failing which, they may be placed under
surveillance or into isolation.