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7
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND
OTHER DISEASES.
SCARLET FEVER.
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified during the year
was twenty-seven giving an incidence rate of 0.59 per thousand
population.
All the cases were very mild and no fatalities occurred.
Twenty-four cases were treated at home and three removed to
Hospital.
DIPHTHERIA.
For the ninth year in succession the district was completely
free from this disease, the last case having been notified in April,
1947.
Immunisation against diphtheria progresses smoothly. Special
efforts continue to be made to encourage mothers to bring their
babies for immunisation in those cases where persuasion by the
health visitor has failed.
Under the National Health Service Act all medical practitioners
providing general medical services in the area are
given an opportunity to provide services in the scheme. This
has resulted in a number of children being immunised otherwise
than at schools or clinics.
The following statistics refer to immunisation carried out
during the year-
Number of children immunised during the year
(pre-school 524 school 37) 561
Number of children receiving reinforcing doses 773
Although diphtheria is no longer a serious public health problem
it must be remembered that the disease is still present and that
any relaxation of the immunisation campaign could have serious
results. Immunisation not only prevents many children from contracting
diphtheria, but greatly mitigates the severity of the illness
if a child should fall a victim to this disease.