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55
Whooping Cough.
There were 13 cases of whooping cough notified during 1963.
Of these 2 cases were infants under the age of 1 year, one being
a baby of 6 weeks, who was admitted to hospital. The remaining
11 cases comprised 6 pre-school children, 4 attending school, and
1 adult.
The number of cases notified for the years 1958-1963 are
shown in the table below for the purposes of comparison.
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
9
3
11
—
5
13
Immunisation against whooping cough is usually performed as a
combined process with diphtheria immunisation, and practically 100%
of the children being immunised for the first time receive "combined"
material which affords protection against both these diseases.
Enteric Fever (Typhoid or Para-Typhoid).
During 1963 one case of para-typhoid fever was notified. The
patient was a man who was allowed to be treated at home since it was
a mild case and the home conditions were satisfactory. Unfortunately,
he became a carrier for several months but eventually was cured
following intensive courses of anti-biotics.
There was no spread of infection. The source of infection was
not definitely established since samples of suspect foods had been
destroyed 3 to 4 weeks before diagnosis was made. (There is an incubation
period of 12/l6 days).
Measles.
There were 404 cases of measles notified during 1963 compared
with 19 in 1962. Generally speaking the illness was of a mild type
with little by way of complications and all cases were nursed at
home. The majority of the illnesses (232) occurred in children in
the 0/5 group, and (164) in the 5/10 age group.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
No cases of ophthalmia neonatorum occurred during 1963.