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15
There was one explosive outbreak at a school in Northolt
during the summer months—which was traced to a carrier among
the kitchen staff.
With the simultaneous occurrence of over 50 cases in one
week-end a great number of convalescent and healthy carriers
appeared so that the infection smouldered on for many weeks
before finally disappearing completely.
The hygiene of the school was initially extremely good—
but intensified precautions in the way of hand-washing on entering
school, after using the toilet and before meals were enforced—
and there was an indirect beneficial effect in the heightened hygiene
consciousness which this engendered.
Malaria.
Only one case of malaria was reported, a girl of 3 years, who
was diagnosed as such upon her arrival from South Africa.
Measles.
This disease showed a great increase on the previous year,
3,296 against 1,016 in 1950.
The largest number of cases were notified in the first quarter
of the year, 2,360, falling to 876 in the second quarter, and to 55
and 5 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
1951 was an epidemic year in respect of Measles throughout
the United Kingdom—but the disease maintained its mild character.
The disease is spread by a filtrable virus borne by droplet
spray entering the nose and throat.
The intense coughing, sneezing and watering of the eyes in
the early stages resembles the common cold, and the sufferer has
many opportunities to spread the condition.
Children with these symptoms should be isolated, medical
care obtained, and the blotchy rash looked for on the fourth day
of illness.
Temporary protection can be obtained by use of " immune
globulins " or " placental extracts " in special cases, such as a
very ailing child exposed to severe risk of the disease, but no
successful method of long term active immunisation has yet been
discovered. There was one death during the year.
Pneumonia.
There was again a slight increase over the previous year.
In 1951 197 cases were notified against 174 in 1950. Of the 197
cases 36 were notified as being Influenzal Pneumonia.