View report page

developed the disease. Although rarely serious, this mild form of dysentery i s most difficult
to control. Treatment with antibiotics has little effect except in the early acute phase and
may even prolong the period during which the patient, though clinically recovered, continues
to carry the germs. Often the patients, or their symptomless contacts, remain infectious for
months and have to be excluded from work in some occupations, e.g. food handlers. The
germs can survive for long periods outside the body, even in extremes of temperature. Young
children are especially susceptible but all age groups are vulnerable and recovery does not
appear to confer any immunity; reinfection within the school or family circle is common.
Spread from the bowel, the best defence against dysentery is the maintenance of the highest
standards of personal hygiene. Modern water closets with adequate and adjacent washing
facilities (hot and cold water, soap and paper towels) should be provided in all school
lavatories and, in infant schools, adult supervision to ensure that they are properly used.
Lids should be fitted and lowered before flushing which otherwise fills the air of the lavatory
with a spray of infected water droplets. Gradual renovation and improvement in toilet facilities
and training should help to eliminate this troublesome infection which accounted for a large
proportion of almost 3,000 visits made by the Deputy Medical Officer of Health and/or
Infectious Diseases Nurse during the year and of the 1,502 specimens submitted to the
laboratory.
An event of great epidemiological interest was the world-wide spread of an influenza
epidemic due to a variant of the Type A influenza virus christened "Hong Kong 68" after its
source of identification. Alternatively known as "Mao flu" the epidemic, like the "Asian
flu" of 1959, spread from China to all parts of the world. A vaccine was available giving a
fair degree of protection for a limited time but it was decided to advise against general use
in Waltham Forest and only a few doses were purchased (approximately 10/-per dose) for
certain key personnel. A close watch was kept on the track of the epidemic and the local
offices of the Ministry of Social Security co-operated in giving weekly returns of all new
sickness claims. Events proved our estimation correct and no serious outbreak occurred in
Waltham Forest.
- 19 -