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13
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
Apart from the unusual behaviour of the measles infection, the incidence of infectious disease in
the City has, in general, remained low. Notifications received (excluding tuberculosis) increased
only slightly from 532 in 1969 to 557 in 1970, of which measles accounted for 365.
Table 3, page 65, gives details of notifications received and the age groups concerned.
Acute Poliomyelitis, Diphtheria and Smallpox
No cases of these diseases occurred in Westminster during 1970.
Dysentery
The number of cases of dysentery decreased considerably during 1970. Thirty notifications were
received compared with fifty-four in the previous year. There were no outbreaks of dysentery in any
Westminster Hospitals or City Council nurseries.
Infective Jaundice
Fifty-two notifications (59) of Infective Jaundice were received during 1970, the second full
year since the disease became notifiable.
Measles
Measles was again prevalent in Westminster despite a striking diminution in the incidence of the
disease in the previous epidemic year. This was, however, in accord with the sharp rise in the total
number of cases notified in 1970 in England and Wales.
Had measles followed the established pattern there would normally have been a decrease in the
number of measles notifications, as 1970 would have been a non-epidemic year, but instead, the
number of notifications rose slightly from 321 to 365. In addition, a large proportion of this number
occurred during an abnormal summer wave.
Paratyphoid and Typhoid Fever
Five of the six cases of these diseases notified during the year were instances of infection
occurring in persons returning from abroad who were admitted to hospital shortly after arrival in
this country. There were thirteen cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in Westminster in 1969.
Tuberculosis
Table 3, page 65, gives information regarding primary notifications of pulmonary and nonpulmonary
tuberculosis received during the year, and Table 4, page 66, shows the age and sex
distribution of all new cases and deaths from all forms of the disease.
The tuberculosis visitors working from the chest clinics visit all tuberculous households to ascertain
home conditions and to advise patients on such matters as isolation, steps to be taken to avoid the
spread of the disease, and diet. Home contacts are urged to attend for x-ray examination or Mantoux
testing, and where necessary, B.C.G. vaccination, and to attend clinic sessions for the purpose of
surveillance.
The tuberculosis visitors also follow up patients who do not visit the chest clinic as regularly as
required, and, where rehousing is sought, their detailed reports on home conditions assist with the
award of "points" for priority of the family's application. Where insanitary conditions appear to exist
the matter is referred to the public health inspector for further investigation.
Whooping Cough
The number of cases of whooping cough remained low, only ten notifications being received
during 1970 compared with two in the previous year.