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Smallpox
There were 33 referrals for supervision of possible
smallpox contacts who had arrived in this country
from locally infected or declared endemic
smallpox areas and who were reported to be
proceeding to addresses in the borough. All these
were visited and kept under surveillance for the
required period.
During the outbreaks of variola minor in
Pontypool and the West Midlands a circular was
sent to family doctors asking them to notify me
of any doubtful or suspicious cases of chickenpox.
As a result several joint consultations were held
in the patients' homes but all the cases were
diagnosed as chickenpox.
Whooping Cough
There were 37 cases notified compared with 32
in 1965. Seven of these cases were under the age
of one year and three of these were aged 10
weeks, 2 months and 5 months respectively.
Vaccination records show that nine of the
twenty-eight notified cases under the age of six
years had been immunised in infancy. It has been
suggested that the current whooping cough
vaccines might now be less effective than in
former years.
Measles
Measles was less prevalent than in 1965 but 893
cases were notified, a higher incidence than would
be expected in a 'non-epidemic' year.
The Minister's approval to offer measles
vaccination under Section 26 of the National
Health Service Act. 1946, was not sought pending
the results of the long-term follow up of the
children who participated in the Medical
Research Council's investigation of measles
vaccines trial.
Dysentery
There were 79 cases compared with 9 cases in
1965. The increase is partly accounted for by an
outbreak affecting 53 children and staff at a day
nursery.
Food poisoning
Although 66 cases of suspected food poisoning
were notified, after full investigation only one
case was confirmed, the causative organism being
salmonella heidelberg. Three other salmonella
infections (not food-borne) were also identified.
Of the 62 remaining cases notified (18 sporadic
and 44 cases in 15 families) all laboratory
investigations proved negative.
Leprosy
The Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations, 1966
came into operation on 1st March 1966 and
revoked the Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations
1951. The new regulations provide that, instead
of being sent direct to the Chief Medical Officer
of the Ministry of Health, notifications of leprosy
are to be sent to the local Medical Officer of
Health who sends copies to the Ministry's Chief
Medical Officer.
Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease)
Notes in the form of a small booklet have been
issued to sewermen and others who may be
exposed to this infection. The booklet gives advice
on the preventive measures to be taken by
workers exposed to this occupational hazard and
on the importance of seeking early medical
attention if the worker is infected or shows any
of the signs or symptoms of leptospirosis.
Rodenticides
A wash-hand unit was fitted in the van used by
the rodent operatives and sewermen to enable
these workers to wash their hands after laying rat
bait poison in the sewers.
Medical Arrangements for Long Stay Immigrants
Long-stay immigrants are asked to give their
destination addresses at ports of arrival and these
are forwarded to the medical officer of health.
All the addresses situated in the borough are
visited by public health inspectors who advise the
immigrants on how to use the national health
service. If the immigrant is accompanied by a
child the address is visited by a health visitor.
Destination addresses in this borough were
given by 290 immigrants but in 115 cases it was
found that the immigrants had not arrived at the
address given.
One immigrant was found to be suffering from
pulmonary tuberculosis.
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