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INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Notifications of infectious diseases for the years 1951.1960 are shown in table V.5, page 27;
those for certain such diseases by age and sex for the 13 four.weekly periods of the year
1960 are given in table V.6, page 28; and deaths from infectious diseases are included in
table V.3, page 25.
Diarrhoea and enteritis—There were 16 deaths under the age of two years from diarrhoea
and enteritis, compared with 19 in the previous year. This represents a rate of 0.28 per
1,000 live births and shows a continuation of the low figures of recent years.
Diphtheria—During 1960 diphtheria incidence fell considerably from the 1959 figure.
This was to prove but a temporary respite, for during the last week of the year there were
signs of renewed activity in Camberwell. In view of the wide publicity that has attended
the occurence of diphtheria in the last year or two, it is necessary to point out that the
average number of notifications in the years 1958.59.60 was only one fifth of that experienced
ten years previously in 1948.1950, and one hundredth of that found 20 years ago.
There has been more diphtheria than one would have wished, but many of the infected
persons found have been symptomless carriers discovered as a result of the very thorough
measures used in the attempt to limit the spread of infection.
The amount of actual diphtheria occurring remains very low by past standards. It is
also important to state that nothing that has happened in recent years has cast any doubt
on the efficacy of diphtheria immunisation. The disease can still be severe and even fatal
in un.immunised children. Immunisation confers a very substantial degree of protection,
which must, however be reinforced at intervals. In spite of the success of diphtheria
immunisation in reducing the disease to its present low level of incidence, it has been
realised for some time that the existing level of immunisation in the community would
not be enough to ensure the success of the next stage in the attack on this disease, viz. its
elimination.
Substantial progress was made during the year in increasing the level of acceptance of
immunisation in the youngest age groups, and attention is also being given to the necessity
to raise the general level of recent immunisation in the primary school age group.
On the discovery of a case or carrier, swabbing of school and home contacts is carried
out and repeated until the focus of infection has been eliminated. All positive cases or
carriers are removed to isolation hospital. At the same time urgent immunisation of contacts
is instituted. Un.immunised contacts are given a dose of diphtheria antitoxin followed
later by a course of active immunisation. Immunised contacts are given a reinforcing dose
of diphtheria toxoid.
Dysentery—There was an increase in the incidence of dysentery from 3,571 in 1959 to
5,161 in 1960. The age and sex incidence of this disease continues to present interesting
features. The marked excess in females aged over 15 years is what one would expect from
the association of adult females with young children. The male excess below the age of
five years, which has been noted also in other years recently, is more difficult to explain.
Enteric fever—Incidence fell below the level of last year and no notable outbreaks
occurred. The majority of cases in recent years have been single sporadic cases.
Influenza—After the considerable outbreak in 1959 the number of deaths from influenza
in 1960 was low, only 46 being recorded, the lowest figure for a number of years.
Leptospirosis—For the fourth successive year there was no case of leptospirosis reported
among the Council's sewer workers.
Measles—Notifications of measles conformed to the customary biennial pattern.
Incidence was low in the early part of the year, rising considerably with the onset of the
colder weather. This rise was the beginning of what was to prove one of the biggest epidemics
of recent years, in the early part of 1961. Although the disease appears to be as prevalent
as ever, it has shown increasing mildness in the last ten years.
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