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96
The school medical and nursing staff continue to play their part in
controlling this infection and whenever a case is notified whether pupil,
teacher or other member of staff the question of the need for an epidemiological
investigation is discussed with the staff of the appropriate Chest
Clinic.
During the year a school child was reported as suffering from primary
tuberculosis. Full epidemiological investigations were carried out on both
staff and pupils. No contacts were isolated. Subsequently it was reported
that the child was not suffering from tuberculosis.
In addition to the routine B.C.G. inoculation offered to all 13 year old
school children, the Chest Clinic have also tested 1001 contacts of actual
cases and found 515 to be negative reactors. Inoculation was offered where
appropriate and 332 have been vaccinated. All those found to be positive
were investigated by the Chest Clinics.
PUBLIC HEALTH (LEPROSY) REGULATIONS 1966
On the 1st March, 1966, Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations came
into operation. Under these, provision was made for all cases of leprosy to
be notified to the Medical Officer of Health instead of directly to the Chief
Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health. In turn the Medical Officer of
Health is required to notify the Ministry of Health and also maintain a
strictly confidential record of persons affected.
Certain provisions of the Public Health Act 1936 and 1961, relating to
theprevention and spread of disease now also apply to leprosy. Leprosy
is rare and unlike most notifiable diseases it is not highly infectious.
SOME NON-NOTIFIABLE INFECTIONS
INFLUENZA
Immunisation:
The present position regarding this is that while the protection
conferred by immunisation is of brief duration (about 3-6 months) there
is a case for immunising certain groups of the population in whom a
contact of influenza might aggravate their disability or prove fatal. Such
groups include:—
(a) Chronic Lung disease, e.g. chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis,
pulmonary tuberculosis.
(b) Chronic heart disease.
(c) Chronic kidney disease.
(d) Diabetes and possibly other endocrine disorders.
The only type of vaccine recommended is an inactivated influenza
A + B Saline vaccine, and it should be given during the early part of the
autumn.