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34
MEASLES.
In towns, the attack-rate is highest in the third, fourth and
fifth year of life, while the death-rate caused by the disease is
highest in the second year of life. After the age of five the deathrate
caused by it is relatively very small. These facts clearly
indicate the importance of postponing an attack of measles,
and of adopting special measures to ensure increased safety for
children under five.
The early infectiousness of measles, while the symptoms are
only those of a common cold, is a marked feature of this disease.
It is not unlikely that a majority of the total cases are infected
by patients in this early stage.
The incubation period from infection to the commencement
of cold symptoms is 12 to 14 days with fair constancy.
Rules for Exclusion of Individuals.
Children attacked by measles should be kept from school
for four weeks.
When measles breaks out in a household, all children under
seven years of age, and any children over seven years of age who
have not had measles, should be excluded from school until 21
days from the date of onset of the illness of the last patient with
measles in the house.
Warnings to Parents.
Measles is an infectious disease, and as such is notifiable in
this district, under the Notification of Infectious Diseases Acts.
If a case of measles occurs in a household, call in your Medical
Attendant immediately, and he will at once notifiy the disease as
required under the Acts.
Failing a Medical Attendant, the person who must notify the
Medical Officer of Health, Health Department, Council Offices,
New Maiden, is the parent, or failing the parent, then the person
who is in charge of, or in attendance on, the patient at the time.
The penalty upon conviction, of failing to notify an infectious
disease, is Forty Shillings.