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15
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Measles was again the most prevalent infection notified, an outbreak
developing during the last quarter of the year. Cases were mainly mild,
and none was fatal. There were no cases of poliomyelitis or diphtheria.
Sonne dysentery during the winter months was related to a school outr
break, and responded to the usual control methods. In addition to the 25
notified cases of Food poisoning, the department was involved in enquiries
into reports of 56 persons suffering from diarrhœa following a
canteen meal. This was finally thought to be due to Cl.welchii infection
of savoury stuffing used to embellish a Christmas lunch. There was an
increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis notified during 1966 as
compared with 1965 and a considerable rise in the number of deaths
recorded as due to this disease. As regards notifications these were
mainly in the age groups 15-45 years, and suggest vigilence in observing
future trends. Of the deaths, 11 were over 75 years of age; 4 were over
65, and only one was under 45. From the known history in several
patients tuberculosis had certainly been present but was not the primary
cause of death. It seems not unfair to note that in 11 instances it was
associated not with premature decease, but with longevity.
For detailed table of Communicable diseases see Appendix.