View report page

SMALLPOX
No cases of smallpox occurred in the Borough during 1965-1970 although eight suspected
cases were seen by the Medical Officer of Health. One of them was a child with mild eczema
vaccinatum. Six of them were suffering from chicken pox and one an abnormal vaccingtion reaction.
This last case was a Pakistani child of 6-months who arrived with his mother from Karachi
by air on l8th December, 1968. The child had been vaccinated in Pakistan on 9th December. He
developed a rash on the forehead on 17th December which had spread to involve his face, arms and
legs by 20th December. The rash appeared typical of modified smallpox and the child was
admitted to Long Reach Smallpox Hospital. All close contacts were traced, vaccinated and
placed under surveillance. Repeated laboratory tests for smallpox virus proved negative, the
child's rash did not progress and he was allowed home on the evening of the 24th December,
when the diagnosis of smallpox had finally been disproved.
TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis continued to decline in the Borough although there was a slight increase in
non-respiratory types of the disease. All cases were fully investigated at the local Chest
Clinics and Hospitals and their contacts followed-up by Health Visiting staff.
Extensive investigations were undertaken in association with Number 6b Mass X-Ray Unit at two
bakeries, one clothing factory and a canning factory where single cases of tuberculosis had
occurred. No additional cases were found.
There were five separate cases of adult type pulmonary tuberculosis in secondary school
children which necessitated detailed investigation in the five schools concerned. In all cases
the infection had been acquired in the home and no evidence of spread of infection in school
was found.
Because of these cases in schools, increased publicity was given to B.C.G. vaccination
in schools. B.C.G. vaccination was given to all Heaf negative children and after 1969, also
to those who were Heaf Grade 1 (Lancet, 6th September, 1969). In 1970 the age of vaccination
was reduced from 13 to 12 years. Statistics are given in Table Q on page 58.
Special attention was given to the problem of tuberculosis in Asians in whom the disease
may spread more readily. In association with Asian community leaders publicity was given to
the need for regular chest x-rays of Asian adults and for the B.C.G. vaccination of children.
Whenever possible Asian children were offered B.C.G. vaccination at birth or on arrival in
this country.
TYPHOID FEVER AND PARATYPHOID FEVER
Four cases of typhoid fever and three carriers were recorded. One of the cases was
infected in Spain, but the sources of infection in the other three were not ascertained.
There was no relationship between these cases. Two were in West Indians and one in an Indian,
all of whom had been resident in the United "Kingdom for several years.
Two of the carriers came to notice as a result of investigation in Hospital for unrelated
symptoms and one was reported by a neighbouring borough as having been known for several years.
11