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42
Smallpox
No case of smallpox was notified during the year 1954. The
last case was in 1932.
Scarlet Fever
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year
was 47 as compared with 86 in 1953, equivalent to a case rate of 0.71
per 1,000 population. This disease has continued mild in character.
Of the total number of cases notified 13 were treated in hospital and
34 were treated at home
Diphtheria
No case of diphtheria was notified for the fifth year in succession
and only two in the past seven years, whereas before that cases
averaged sixty per year.
Immunisation and reinforcing doses were available to every school
child whose parents gave consent.
Diphtheria Immunisation
There are five clinics within relatively easy reach of everyone,
as well as immunisation sessions held in the schools.
Efforts have continued during the year to obtain the immunisation
of every child before the first birthday. The health visitors urge
mothers at the welfare centres, and at home visits, to have their
children immunised, making special visits in difficult cases.
The following figures show the number of children immunised
and reinforced during the year (this includes those children who
received the combined diphtheria and whooping cough
prophylaxis):—
Immunised. Reinforced. Total.
Under five years 795 46 841
Five to fourteen years 215 1,299 1,514
Totals 1,010 1,345 2,355