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Notification continued ana by the 15th October, the total was
22. Since the mid-term closure was approaching, it was extended
by a few days and finally included the period 22nd October to 3rd
November, i.e., eleven clear days, a period longer than the normal
maximum incubation period for scarlet fever.
On resumption on 3rd November, all children in attendance
were examined by the medical staff and doubtful cases were
excluded. Almost daily medical supervision was given during the
whole of this period and exclusion with swabbing was carried out
in all doubtful cases.
Individual classes were examined on several occasions and with
the approach of Christmas, it was agreed that school festivities
be reduced to a minimum and school assemblies discouraged.
Christmas closure was between 17th December and 4th
January, i.e., 17 clear days and it was hoped that in spite of Christmas
parties, the outbreak might be terminated. As an added safeguard,
a further circular letter was addressed to parents on 16th
December stating that all children in attendance on re-assembly
in the New Year would be swabbed and carriers excluded. Routine
disinfection was carried out of the whole school.
As a result of the second mass swabbings, three heavy nasal
carriers were excluded.
In spite of these measures, three cases were notified in January
1955, and two further cases towards the end of March.
The recurrence of cases in 1955 following the Christmas school
closure resulted in the arrangement of a conference in January
between the medical staff of the Ministry, the medical officer of
the Laboratory Service, and the local medical staff. The whole
position was reviewed and the school was visited, and as a result
the seating of the children was re-arranged and the need for
adequate cross ventilation of class-rooms was emphasised to the
staff.
No record of this outbreak would be complete without an
expression of thanks to the medical staff of the Ministry of Health
and to Drs. Tomlinson and Marsh of the Public Health Laboratory
Service.
Extreme mildness has been typical of the whole outbreak and
no serious cases are known to have occurred. In consequence some
parents have been very lax in sending unfit children to school in
spite of warnings by circular letters.
At no time has a case been found among the staff, and school
dinners and school milk have not been suspect.