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15
INFLUENZA
This is not a notifiable condition and the extent of an
outbreak can be judged by:-
(1) Comments of general practitioners.
(а) Reports of Head Teachers.
(3) Applications for sickness benefit received by local
offices of the Ministry of National Insurance.
(4) Notification of influenzal pneumonia.
(5) Deaths registered as due to influenza.
(б) Reports from district nursing and home help services.
(7) Need for emergency arrangements to deal with applications
for in-patient hospital treatment.
(8) Staff absences in large organisations.
From such sources, reports of possible "Asian Flu" came
first from New Addington and Thornton Heath during the latter
part of September, spread to other parts of the borough was
rapid, and for three weeks total absences of school children
rose, to reach a peak of about 27% in the week ending October
11th. Thereafter, the absence rate fell steadily. Amongst
adults, cases developed more slowly, with a peak about the
middle of October. As shown by the graph in the appendix, the
general sickness rate remained above the average and influenza
seemed to merge with and increase the usual winter incidence of
respiratory disease.
51 cases of influenzal pneumonia were notified in the four
months, September to December, (1956-5) and 29 deaths from
influenza, (1956-3).
No exceptional demands were made on the nursing or home
help services.