View report page

eNCSDENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS DSSEASES
Two hundred and fifty five cases of infectious diseases were
notified during 1958, compared with nine hundred and fifteen
cases in 1957. This decrease was due to a lower ncidence of
Measles, Whooping Cough and Pneumonia. There were also decreases
in Dysentery and Food Poisoning, There was a slight ncrease in
Scarlet Fever, No case of Diphtheria was notified. The severe
epidemic of Influenza which started in the Autumn of 1957 died
out in the first two to three weeks of January.
Scarlet Fever. Fifty nine cases were notified, an increase
of four cases. The case rate was 0,74 per thousand of populations,
compared with 0.86 per thousand of population for England and
Wales, The illness was generally mild. There was no death.
Diphtheria- No case was notified. This confirms the value
of immunisation.
Diphtheria Antitoxin. The possibility of Diphtheria must
always be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of infections
of the throat, The early injection of antitoxin is the only
effective treatment of Diphtheria. Swabs for diagnosis should be
taken before any antibiotic is administered. Any suspected cases
should be given antitoxin at once or admitted to isolation
hospital for diagnosis and treatment
Diphtheria immunisation. Outbreaks of Diphtheria can only
be avoided by maintaining a high standard of immunisation.
Diphtheria has not been eliminated. Diphtheria is still a danger.
Immunisation is safe, simple and effective. Every child should
be immunised before the age of twelve months. Reinforcement
injections are necessary before entry to nursery school or day
school and again at the age of eight to nine years. Immunisation
is free of charge and can be arranged through the family doctor
or at child welfare clinics.
During 1958 six hundred and eighty nine children were
immunised and their ages at the dates of immunisation were as
follows: -
Age: under 112 3 4 5-9 10-14 Over 15 Total
Number immunised: 425 153 30 11 4 66 - - 689
Nine hundred and twenty one children received reinforcing
injections.
A survey at the end of 1958 of the state of immunisation of
nine hundred and seventy babies born in i957 showed that five
hundred and ninety flve, representing 81 per cent., had been
immunised. Of the children under five years of age two thousand
five hundred and fifty five, representing 54 per cent., had been
immunised. Of the school children of five to fourteen years of
38