View report page

62
DIPHTHERIA
For many years there have been no cases of this disease in the
Borough, but, of course, no complacency is permissible in the prevention
of the condition. In recent years there has been a number of small
outbreaks and this has demonstrated that only a high incidence of
immunisation in the whole population can protect a community. There
is a generation of young mothers which, because of the successful campaign
against diphtheria initiated just over 20 years ago, has no first hand
knowledge of its ravages. Further, diphtheria, unlike poliomyelitis, is a
killer rather than a crippler.
Like so much else in public health, constant vigilance is essential to
ensure an adequately immunised child population.
During the year 3,062 were immunised for the first time and booster
doses were given to 2,544 children.
SCARLET FEVER
In general scarlet fever nowadays is a relatively mild condition.
In addition, the only difference between scarlet fever and acute tonsilitis
of streptococcal origin is that the particular strain of the organism causing
scarlet fever produces a toxin which causes a rash. Otherwise the
treatment, possible complications, etc., are the same as for acute
tonsilitis. Therefore any case of acute tonsilitis should be regarded as a
potential case of scarlet fever, and the urine should be examined to
exclude the possibility of kidney involvement.
SMALLPOX
The ease and speed of foreign travel has meant that an increasing
number of travellers from abroad have been exposed to the risk of
infection with the smallpox virus. As a result there has been and will be
a small number of cases of smallpox occurring in this country. Immediately
each case is diagnosed the patient is carefully questioned and all
those who have been in contact with them during this infectious state
are kept under surveillance and offered vaccination.
This constant vigilance remains the backbone of the defence against
smallpox and prevents this serious and highly infectious disease from
becoming endemic in this country.
In addition, recent regulations provide that travellers from countries
where smallpox is endemic must have been vaccinated recently, otherwise
the local authority is responsible for keeping such travellers under
surveillance for three weeks after their arrival in this country.
62 residents of Harrow were kept under surveillance during the year.
Vaccination of infants is a very valuable defence, but as the protection
conferred only lasts a few years its value can only be regarded as
secondary to that of constant vigilance.
During the year 1,878 primary vaccinations and 177 re-vaccinations
were carried out.