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INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Scarlet Fever
There were 73 cases of Scarlet Fever during 1960 as compared with
97 during the previous year. One case occurred in the 15-25 age group
the remainder were all between one and fourteen years old.
Measles
Following the peak period in 1959, the number of notifications
last year decreased from 1,029 to 322. Forty-nine children under two
years of age were notified. Only 12 cases were admitted to hospital.
There were no deaths.
Whooping Cough
One hundred and eighteen cases of Whooping Cough occurred, an
increase of 58 from 1959 - 82 were under the age of 5 years, and of
these 13 were under the age of one year. One child under one year
died from this disease.
Erysipelas
Of the 10 cases of Erysipelas which were notified, one was over
65 years of age and 9 were between 45 and 64 years of age.
Meningococcal Infection
Four cases were notified, two under 3 years of age and two between
4 and 9 years. Two children died from this disease, one being
under one year of age.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Two children were reported as suffering from this condition
during the year.
Diphtheria
Three confirmed cases of diphtheria occurred in Southwark in
October and November in children in the six to seven age group, none
of whom had been immunised. The children attended three different
schools. Investigation of home and school contacts disclosed the
presence of eight healthy carriers the majority of whom had been
I immunised. All of the cases and carriers were isolated in hospital.
There were no deaths. The organism responsible for the infection,
although virulent, was of mitis type.
At Christmas time a child admitted to hospital from an adjacent
Borough was found to be suffering from Diphtheria and immediately
transferred to an isolation hospital. Essential routine measures were
immediately taken at the original hospital and there was no further
spread.