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at all necessary. Letters were also sent to all general practitioners
informing them of the death and telling them the recommended treatment.
The boy's family and other close contacts were given protective
medicine.
Poliomyelitis
One case, with some paralysis of one leg, occurred during the
year in a schoolgirl aged eight years, who had not been immunised,
as her parents had not accepted immunisation. There was a delay of
seven weeks between the onset of the illness and the seeking of medical
advice. All the immediate family contacts were immunised and schoolchildren
in the family were excluded from school for the necessary
period. The patient's school was visited, preventive measures were
arranged and advice on hygiene was given.
Although no polio virus was isolated from specimens, it was
considered by the various doctors in contact with the case that the
clinical symptoms clearly indicated poliomyelitis.
Streptococcal Infections
In mid-May a notification of meningitis was received in respect
of a child attending one of the Borough's Special Schools. Investigation
revealed that a number of children at the school had sore throats
and laboratory tests showed the infection to be due to haemolytic
streptococcus. The children were excluded while they were under
antibiotic treatment and for 48 hours after treatment ended. No new
cases occurred.
Winter Sickness
In late April and early May there were outbreaks of winter sickness
type illness at three Primary, one Middle and two High Schools.
In four, the symptoms were sore throats, temperature, headache and
runny eyes and in the other two schools, sickness. Specimens were
sent for virological as well as bacteriological examination, but all
results were negative.
2. Prophylactic Measures
1. Poliomyelitis Vaccination.
Vaccination of school children against Poliomyelitis continued
during the year. The actual number vaccinated or receiving reinforcing
doses during 1971 was as follows: —
Number of children vaccinated 76
Number of children given re-inforcing doses 2,209
2. Diphtheria/Tetanus Immunisation.
Number of children given immunisation 109
Number of children given re-inforcing doses 2,239
No case of Diphtheria or Tetanus occurred among school children,
or otherwise, in this area but the importance of immunisation for all
children is in no way diminished.
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