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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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88
Influenza.—On 15th November, 1945, the Ministry of Health issued a
circular letter No. 196-45, stating the Minister had had under consideration
the action which should be taken to assist householders if infectious disease
assumed serious epidemic proportions during the winter period of 1945-46,
having primarily in mind the possibility of an influenza epidemic. Fortunately
there was no epidemic but a scheme was prepared, particulars being
given in my report for 1945.
Nevertheless, during January and February, 1946, a number of cases
of Influenza, mostly attributable to infection by Influenza "B" did occur.
In the main the attacks were mild and the outbreak did not assume epidemic
proportions.
The incidence of influenzal and primary pneumonia and the fatality rates throughout the year is shown by the following table.
| Month 1946 | Acute Primary Pneumonia. | Acute Influenzal Pneumonia. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital Admissions. | Nursed at Home. | Hospital Admissions. | Nursed at Home. | |||||||||
| Isolation Hospital. | Other Hospitals. | Isolation Hospital. | Other Hospitals. | |||||||||
| Cases | Deaths | Cases | Deaths | Cases | Deaths | Oases | Deaths | Oases | Deaths | Cases | Deaths | |
| January | 6 | 2 | 8 | - | 5 | — | 12 | - | 5 | - | 11 | 4 |
| February | 7 | - | 8 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| March | 8 | — | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | - |
| April | 5 | 2 | 3 | - | 5 | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | 2 | 1 |
| May | 3 | - | 4 | — | 4 | - | 3 | — | - | - | 2 | - |
| June | 5 | - | 4 | - | 1 | - | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 - |
| July | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | 3 | - | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| August | - | - | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | - | - | — | - | 1 | - |
| September | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | |
| October | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | - | — | 5 | - |
| November | 3 | - | 7 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 3 | - | 3 | - | 5 | - |
| December | 3 | - | 9 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - |
| Totals | 43 | 6 | 56 | 9 | 54 | 8 | 58 | 8 | 23 | 6 | 40 | 16 |
It will be seen from the above figures that of 153 persons notified as suffering
from acute primary pneumonia there were 23 deaths, equal to 15 per cent.;
and in the case of acute influenzal pneumonia 121 notifications with 20
deaths, equal to 16.5 per cent. Of the 274 persons notified 101 were
admitted to the Isolation Hospital, equal to 36.8 per cent. Of this number
14 persons died, equal to 13.8 per cent.
3. Tuberculosis. During the year 1946 there were 230 new notifications
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and 33 of other forms of Tuberculosis.
17 cases of Pulmonary and 1 case of Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis were
transferred to Ilford.