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had not been present herself, this suggested a possible indirect source
of infection, but all investigations proved in this case negative.
Results of the examination of the other contacts however,
showed that the elderly relative, with whom the patient had been
in closest contact, was, unknown to herself, a carrier of the typhoid
bacillus, and this was confirmed by the Widal reaction. Further
proof was obtained when typing of the organisms had been carried
out, when it was found that both were of the same type.
It was concluded that the person concerned, who in subsequent
examinations proved to be an intermittent carrier, had infected the
child in the less than ideal conditions prevailing during the holiday.
It is of interest that under normal home conditions there had been
no cross infection, this indicating once again the invaluable role of
normal cleanliness in preventing the dissemination of such infections.
There were no further cases of this disease, and the patient
made a full recovery. The carrier, a retired person, is not engaged
in food handling, but it was necessary to exclude one of the contacts
from her occupation as a food handler for a period while investigations
were taking place.
Two cases of para-typhoid fever were notified during the year.
Both were removed to hospital, but one case was not confirmed. In
the other case, the disease was apparently contracted outside the
district. In tracing these cases and dealing with contacts, eighty
pathological specimens were taken by the department and submitted
for examination.
Whooping Cough.
This is another of those diseases which at least temporarily, and
one hopes permanently, has lost a great deal of its former virulence.
Of 260 cases notified, only 6 had to be treated in hospital.
There was a slight increase in the number of cases notified
when compared with the figure of 223 during the year 1954.
No deaths were recorded in the area from this disease during
1955.
Other Infectious Diseases.
In addition to those previously mentioned, notifications were
received, as under:—
Erysipelas 4
Ophthalmia Neonatorum 3
(No impairment of vision in any case.)
Puerperal Pyrexia 5