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VITAL STATISTICS
The health of the population continues to be satisfactory.
The standardised birth-rate for the District (12.1 per 1000) has
again fallen, and continues to be considerably less then the comparable
rate for the United Kingdom (17,2 per 1000). Due allowance is made in
these figures for local differences in age and sex distribution from the
national average.
The standardised death rate of the District (10.9 per 1000)
was slightly less than last year (11,2), and less than the comparable
rate for the United Kingdom, which was also 11.2.
There were only 2 infant deaths under 1 year of age, and
3 still-births, both of these figures being considerably less than the
national averages. Again, for the third year running, there have been no
maternal deaths from pregnancy, childbirth or abortion,
The number of fatal motor vehicle accidents was 5 as compared
with 9 in the previous year. There were 8 deaths from other accidental
causes (10 last year) including 1 industrial injury and 3 associated with
advanced disease in aged persons.
control of infectious diseases
Small, mild outbreaks of dysentery occurred in 3 schools, and
in isolated family groups, amounting in all to 44 confirmed cases throughout
the year. Small outbreaks of diarrhoea and sickness were also reported at
2 Essex County Welfare Department Homes for the Elderly - Beechlands (12
cases) and Ardmore (12 cases). These were very fully investigated and at
Beechlands a prevalent virus infection was thought to be responsible,
whilst at Ardmore a bacterial culture from food remnants (Staphylococcus
Aureus) suggested the possibility of contamination from a small boil which
had been observed on the face of one of the kitchen staff a few days
previously. These incidents serve to emphasize once more the extreme
importance of maintaining the highest standards of personal hygiene and
regular hand washing in all canteens where food is distributed to children
or old persons, who are particularly susceptible to infections.
There was also a fairly widespread, though mild, measles outbreak,
comprising 371 cases, of which, however, only 2 required to be admitted to
hospital. Plans are now well advanced to offer free immunisation against
measles under the National Health Service, to all susceptible children up
to the age of 15, and there are good prospects that within the next few
years the widespread nuisance, and occasional grave complications of this
disease, may be removed from our midst.
/Immunisations
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