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17
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Rubella (German Measles) was remarkably prevalent. It is not
notifiable but records of absences from schools due to this illness
showed that the outbreak ran from March to July with a peak
in June. Dr. Linehan comments on some complications which required
treatment in hospital. Because rubella in an expectant
mother during the first 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn
child, spread of rubella to the adult population occasioned
concern. Passive immunity can be given by an injection of blood
extract, and family doctors made heavy demands on stocks of this
material. Some mothers who sustained a definite attack during
the first trimester had the pregnancy terminated. Health Visitors
were asked to pay particular attention to babies born during
late 1962 and early 1963 to ensure the early detection of congenital
deafness.
Diphtheria - Dr. Linehan comments on a case of possible diphtheria.
The child had some faucial exudate and a preliminary
swab result was doubtfully positive. Subsequent examinations of
the culture failed to show any organisms of diphtheria. No contacts
were found carrying organisms nor did any secondary cases
arise. The diagnosis of diphtheria was finally rejected.
Pood Poisoning - There were fewer notifications than in 1961. Of
a party of 40 people from Croydon who attended a wedding reception
in London, 6 were subsequently found to be infected with a
food poisoning germ (S. bredeney). The source was traced by the
Public Health Laboratory Service to ham used to prepare one of
the foods served at the reception.