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(7)
Measles
There was a small extensive epidemic of Measles during the first
half of the year, 336 cases being notified. There were no deaths
recorded from this disease.
Intestinal Infections
An extensive outbreak of Sonne dysentery occured in November and
December. This was centred mainly around a Primary school in the
Borough and involved 65 cases in all. The staff of the school, the
parents and their family doctors and the laboratory co-operated splendidly
and by exercising rigorous control the epidemic was quickly contained.
In all 465 specimens were sent for bacteriological examination by the
Public Health Laboratory at Epsom .
Apart from and unassociated with this outbreak 9 other cases of
Sonne dysentery occurred during the year in 6 families. Three of these
were associated with communal nurseries.
One case was returned as food poisoning caused by Salmonella
bredeney0 Although no direct source of infection could be traced,
there was strong presumptive evidence that the infection originated from
infected imported ham. Salmonella typhi-murium infection was responsible
for illness in two children and Salmonella blockley was discovered in
association with a case notified as Sonne dysentery. In none of these
cases was there any indication of food borne infection.
The prevention of intestinal infection is essentially one of
scrupulous attention to personal and domestic hygiene. This needs to
be taught from a very early age by parents and teachers, while the
employment of untrained personnel in kitchens and food establishments
where food stuffs are handled is to be deprecated.
Non-notifiable Diseases
Head teachers of Local Edcuatian Authority schools notify cases
of non-notifiable disease occurring in their schools. This is a useful
procedure which is much appreciated. German Measles and Chickenpox
were the two most prevalent during the year.