View report page

INFECTIOUS & OTHER DISEASES
GENERAL
The total number of cases of infectious disease notified to the Department during the
year was 1,039. This was a decrease compared with the previous year when 1,658 cases were
reported, the difference being mainly accounted for by a smaller number of cases of measles
compared with 1971. Although the large epidemics of measles that used to occur in alternate
years are a thing of the past as a result of the availability of vaccination against measles, it
would nevertheless be beneficial if the proportion of children receiving this protection could
be increased and this is highlighted by the fact that the great majority of cases in 1972 affected
children under the age of 15 years.
There were also reductions in the numbers of cases of scarlet fever, whooping cough,
infective jaundice, and food poisoning, also contributing to the improved picture. It is pleasing
once again to report the absence from the Borough of any cases of diphtheria or poliomyelitis,
a tribute to the programmes of immunisation against these infections which were only recently
such a threat to the health of the community.
Precautionary surveillance of travellers exposed to possible infection overseas continued,
particularly in respect of smallpox and cholera, but no cases of these infections occurred.
Statistical details of the various infectious diseases are given below under separate
headings and, unless otherwise stated, no deaths from these infections occurred.
CHOLERA
No case of the infection occurred but the Department was concerned with the
surveillance of two returning holiday-makers who were possible contacts of this infection.
DIPHTHERIA
Once again I am pleased to report that no case of diphtheria was notified in the Borough
during the year.
DYSENTERY
During the year 15 cases of this infection were reported compared with 13 during the
preceding year, and were, with one exception, of the mild Sonne type. The single exception
was of flexner dysentery infection affecting a resident who had contracted the infection
abroad. Once again the illness was mild.
FOOD POISONING
During the year 10 cases of food poisoning were notified, a decrease compared with the
previous year. Details of all the cases notified and of others that came to light as a result of
the investigation carried out are shown in the table below. In the majority of instances
illnesses were caused by organisms of the salmonella group and were mainly isolated cases, of
illness or family infections. There was only one general outbreak affecting 5 persons. There
were no deaths during the year resulting from food poisoning infection.
30