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INCIDENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Two thousand and eighty eight cases of infectious diseases
were notified during the year 1951. This is an increase of one
thousand two hundred and ten cases, due to a severe epidemic of
Measles and a higher incidence of Whooping Cough, Dysentery and
Pneumonia,
Scarlet Fever. One hundred and ten cases were notified, a
decrease of one hundred and five cases. The case rate was 1.38
per 1000 of population, compared with 1.11 per 1000 of population
for England and Wales, The disease was generally mild. There
was no death.
Diphtheria. There was one case, a child aged three years,
who had not been immunised against Diphtheria, The organism
was of the mitis type Early diagnosis and early treatment
ensured complete recovery This case is a warning that immunisation
should not be rejected or deferred indefinitely. The case
rate was 0.01 per 1000 of population, compared with 0.02 per
1000 of population for England and Wales.
Diphtheria Antitoxin, Medical practitioners must be on
guard against throat infectiouns being due to Diphtheria. Swabs
for differential diagnosis must be taken before Penicillin or
other antibiotics are administered. Otherwise the diagnosis is
obscured. Early treatment with antitoxin is essential to
prevent serious toxic effects.
Diphtheria Immunisation. Immunisation has reduced the
incidence and mortality of Diphtheria. In England and Wales
notifications have fallen from 23,199 in 1944 to 699 in 1951,
and in the same period deaths have been reduced from 934 to 34.
These figures suggest that Diphtheria could be eliminated if
immunisation was complete. To secure this objective it is vital
that babies are immunised before their first birthday, and that
children are re-inforced before entry to school or nursery
school and re-lnforced again at the age of eight years.
The position in this Borough is indicated by a survey at
the end of 1951 of the state of immunisation of 1,067 babies
born in 1950., This showed that 662. representing 62 per cent,
had been immunised, 1.5 per cent of parents refused Immunisation
5 per cent were indifferent, 14 per cent intended to accept
immunisation, and 10 per cent had left the district. The
remainder included allergic children, two who had died, and the
inaccessible
The inactive well intentioned and the indifferent form the
problem group who defer the rise of immunisation above the high
percentage required for safety,
During 1951, nine hundred and sixty-three children were
immunised in the following age groups.
Age Under 1 1-2 2-5 5-15 Total
Numbers 39 624 159 141 963
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