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INFECTI0US DISEASES
(a) NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Diphtheria
Notifications of diphtheria during the year dropped to
the remarkably low level of 7, as compared with 25, 18, 25, 70
and 118 respectively for the five previous years. All seven
cases were admitted to hospital. The effect of the immunization
campaign is now being felt. One death only was recorded, giving
a death rate of 0.01 per 1,000 of the population. The figure
for England and Wales was 0.05.
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. Although there was some reduction
in the number of cases dealt with, excellent progress was made
during the year. Immunization facilities are provided for
children under five years, school children, and adults at four
separate morning sessions each week, and for children under five
years, at any Infant Welfare Centre. As necessary, immunization
is also carried out by the Medical Officers in the schools.
The following is a brief summary of the work carried
out during the year:-
Total number of new cases - 3,802
Schick Testing:-
1st Schick Test (before Inoculation)
No, tested - 94
No, susceptible - 24
No, immune - 64
No. failed to attend 6
2nd Schick Test (after completion of
1st course of injections)
No. tested - 2,220
No. protected - 1,865
No. susceptible - 114
No. failed to attend 341
All those found to be incompletely protected after
the second Post Schick were re-inoculated.
Total No. of attendances for year - 12,214
The diphtheria prophylactic used was A.P.T.
Scarlet Fever
Daring the year 125 cases of scarlet fever were
notified as compared With 78, 38, 93, 274 and 148 for the five
previous years. 41 cases 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.
Seven contacts were kept under observation.
Pneumonia, Malaria and Dysentery
Pneumonia. There wore 50 cases of pneumonia notified as
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