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INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(a) NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Diphtheria.
Daring the year 18 cases of diphtheria were notified as
compared with 25 and 70 respectively for 1939 and 1938. 17
cases were admitted to hospital. The number of deaths recorded
was again 3, giving a death rate of 0.03 per 1,000 of the
population. The figure for England and Wales was 0.06.
Supply of anti-toxin. All medical practitioners
practising in the borough may at any time obtain a supply of
diphtheria anti-toxin from the fire stations at Twickenham
or Teddington, free of charge.
Diphtheria immunization. In December 1940 the Ministry
of Health undertook a national campaign for more* intensive
immunization against Diphtheria. This was actively taken
up by the Department and the results of the local campaign
will be dealt with in my next report.
The following is a brief summary of the work carried out
during the year;-
Total no. of new cases 913
Schick Testing
1st Schick Test (before Inoculation)
No. Tested 22
No. Susceptible 7
No. Immune 12
No. Failed to attend 3
2nd Schick Test (after completion of 1st
courso of injections).
No. Tested 439
No. Protected 377
No. Susceptible 1
No. Failed to attend 6l
All those found to be incompletely protected
after the second Post Schick were reinoculated.
Total No. of attendances for year 2391
The diphtheria prophylactics used were
A.P.T. and T.A.F.
Scarlet Fever.
The incidence of scarlet fever in the Borough during the
year was low. Only 38 cases were notified as compared with
93 and 274 respectively for 1939 and 1938. Incases were
admitted to hospital. No deaths were recorded from this
disease. The death rate for England and Wales was 0.00
per 1,000 of the population.
Smallpox.
No case of smallpox was notified during the year.
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