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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The increase in child casualties has taken place mainly in the 'under 5-year
old' age group. There is good reason to believe that many of these accidents
would not have occurred if the child had been accompanied by an adult.
One-third of the children in this category were injured whilst travelling in
private cars.
The need for a safety harness with or without special seats cannot be overemphasised."
(See Tables, 1,2,3,4 and 5).
Prevalence and Control of Infectious Disease
part v.
Public Health Act 1936
Sections 47-49
Health Services and
Public Health act 1968
Public Health (Infectious
Diseases) Regulations 1968
Provisions relating to the notification of infectious disease and food
poisoning by medical practitioners to the Medical Officer of Health are found
in Part V of the Public Health Act 1936, Sections 47 - 49 of the Health
Services and Public Health Act 1968, and the Public Health (Infectious
Diseases) Regulations 1968.
One thousand, two hundred and thirteen notifications were received, and of
these 467 (38%) were school children. In addition, head teachers reported
350 cases of suspected infectious disease.
Measles
Over 59% of the notifications were for measles: 719 cases, showing a
substantial decrease on last year's figure of 1,660 cases.
Tuberculosis
Sixty-four cases of respiratory tuberculosis were notified. Twelve cases of
tuberculosis of other organs were also notified including genito-urinary tract
and neck glands. There were six deaths from respiratory tuberculosis.
Food Poisoning
Seventy-eight cases of food poisoning were notified, a substantial increase on
last year's figure. The causative organism was Clostridium Welchii in 43 cases
while Salmonella organisms accounted for 29 of the remaining cases.
An outbreak of Clostridium Welchii food poisoning occurred in May in four
primary schools. Thirty-four staff and six children were affected in the four
schools, which are all supplied with school meals from the same kitchen. The
item of food responsible was beef served for lunch on the day preceding the
outbreak. The causative organism was isolated from the meat and from
faecal specimens obtained from some of the patients.
Infective Jaundice
Thirty-one cases of infective jaundice were notified and contact with a
known case was established in four instances. Five of the other cases were
known to have eaten shellfish within the previous 40 days.
Dysentery (Sonne)
Sixty-seven cases were notified as against 29 persons last year. Two schools
were affected by small outbreaks of Sonne Dysentery involving 23 children.
Typhoid and
Paratyphoid Fever
No cases of typhoid or paratyphoid fever were notified during the year.
Meningitis (acute)
Fourteen isolated cases were notified. There was one death.
Poliomyelitis
No cases of poliomyelitis were reported in the Borough during the year.
Malaria
One case of malaria was notified, the patient having contracted the disease
abroad.
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