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INCIDENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS DISEASES
One thousand, two hundred and fifty two cases of Infectious
diseases were notified during the year 1953, an Increase of four
hundred and thirty five cases. There was a higher prevalence of
Whooping Cough, Measles, Pneumonia, Dysentery, Poliomyelitis and
Scarlet Fever.
Scarlet Fever. One hundred and thirty cases were notified,
an Increase of six cases. The case rate was 1.64 per thousand of
population, compared with 1.39 per thousand of population in
England and Wales. The high incidence was due to outbreaks in
schools. The disease was generally mild. There was no death.
Diphtheria. No case was notified in 1953. Diphtheria
remains a danger to children who have not been immunised.
Diphtheria Antitoxin, It is still necessary for doctors to
give very serious consideration to the possibility of Diphtheria
in the differential diagnosis of throat infections. Early
diagnosis and early treatment with antitoxin are essential for
the prevention of mortality. Antitoxin should be injected on
suspicion of the disease, or the case admitted to hospital for
observation and treatment.
Diphtheria Immunisation. The success achieved by immunisation
is shown by a comparison of the cases and deaths in 1944 and 1953
in England and Wales.
Year Cases Deaths
1944 23199 934
1953 240 24
The residual incidence and mortality will persist until
complete immunisation of a high percentage of children is achieved.
Protection is proportionate to the number of children who are
immune. Immunisation in infancy is not sufficient to protect a
child throughout the schooldays. The immunity wanes with the
passage of time and the child will become susceptible unless
reinforcement injections to revive immunity are given every four
years up to the age of nine.
There is unnecessary delay in bringing babies for immunisation.
Parents are losing that sense of urgency which prevailed in the
early days of the campaign when Diphtheria was prevalent. Delay
creates a period of risk for the baby or infant. Every baby
should have been immunised before the first birthday. The course
of primary injections should begin at the age of nine months.
Reinforcement injections at the age of five and nine years are
essential.
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