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INFECTIVE DISEASES 19
Diseases Reported from Schools
A total of 3,732 infective diseases was reported from schools in
the Borough throughout the year. The numbers of each disease
were:
Scarlet Fever 72
Measles 1,370
German Measles 277
Meningococcal Infection 5
Chicken Pox 778
Scabies 4
Whooping Cough 107
Mumps 679
Dysentery 81
Other Complaints 359
Disinfection
During the year 153 rooms were disinfected after infectious and
other disease, 248 rooms disinfested for vermin, and 43 rooms for
miscellaneous conditions.
Bacteriological Examinations
All bacteriological examinations are carried out at the Public
Health Laboratory at County Hall under its Director, Dr. A. J. H.
Tomlinson, to whom I would like to express thanks for the help
and assistance that he and his staff have given to my Department
during the year.
The following is a summary of examinations made during the
year:
Nose and throat swabs 1,058
Faeces and urine for the typhoid and dysentery groups 2,987
Miscellaneous specimens 3
Total 4,048
Contacts of Infectious Disease—Exclusion from work
It is sometimes considered necessary, in order to prevent the
spread of infection, to exclude from work for a period certain
contacts of infectious disease.
This applies particularly to persons engaged in food handling and
the requisite authority for the Medical Officer of Health to exclude
such persons from work is given under regulations made under the
National Insurance Act, 1946, and the Public Health (Infectious
Disease) Regulations, 1953.
In connection with such exclusions from work, it should be noted
that since the inclusion of Section 26 in the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1959, it is now possible, if the borough
council sees fit, to compensate persons for any loss occasioned by
their compliance with the request of the Medical Officer of Health.
During the year, no case arose that necessitated action under this
Act but two contacts of infectious disease who were excluded from
work were issued with certificates enabling them to draw National
Health sickness benefit.