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93
MEASLES AND WHOOPING COUGH
During the year there were 349 cases of measles notified, compared
with 2,052 the previous year. The corresponding figures for whooping
cough were 39 and 94 respectively.
Whilst it is gratifying to look back on a year when there have been
fewer notifications, these reductions are almost entirely due to natural
fluctuations in the infectivity of the causative agent.
ENTERIC FEVER
During the last few years the growth of foreign travel has been associated
with a number of travellers being infected abroad. Consequently,
notifications have been tended to increase during the "sixties" although the
actual number fluctuates widely from year to year.
It is therefore fortuitous that during 1968 only one case of paratyphoid
was notified. This person became ill after his return from a
holiday on the continent. All visitors to the household were contacted and,
after observation, found to be free from infection.
Whilst immunisation against enteric fevers is undoubtedly a very
valuable procedure, the protection conferred is not of a high order and,
consequently, if the infection is heavy or its virulence high, inoculated
persons may contract the disease. When these diseases do occur in previously
immunised people the severity does not appear to be diminished.
Further disadvantages are that an ideal course consists of three doses
spread over six months and, that for continued protection, a booster is
required every 12 months.
DYSENTERY AND FOOD POISONING
There were 4 cases of food poisoning and 18 cases of dysentery
notified during 1968. This is a reduction compared with 1967, when there
were 15 notifications of food poisoning. Whilst this is gratifying, this kind
of information should be weighed against the large number of working
days lost through "intestinal upsets". Here the position would appear to be
less satisfactory and all concerned should redouble their efforts as
eradication of these diseases is possible and control lies in the hands of the
public themselves. All that is required are simple routine hygiene measures.
All notified cases are followed up by the Department to try to trace
the source of infection.
TUBERCULOSIS
In order to control any infection it is essential to have exact information
regarding the magnitude of the problem which faces the community.
Moreover, with diseases such as tuberculosis where the morbidity and
infectious state can extend over considerable periods of time it is essential
to keep accurate and up to date records of everyone affected.