[Report 1969] / School Medical Officer of Health, Exeter.

  • Exeter (England). City Council.
Date:
1969
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1969] / School Medical Officer of Health, Exeter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Infectious Diseases. Measles Vaccination. Renal Dialysis. Occupational Health. There were no major outbreaks of infectious diseases during the year. In mid-1968 a variant of the A2 strain of influenza virus was isolated in Hong Kong and as the strain probably started in China it was popularly known as “ Mao flu ”. It was expected that an epidemic would strike this country early in 1969 but though the virus was isolated a number of times the epidemic did not develop. By the end of the year, however, a number of cases of “ Mao flu ” occurred, developing into a major outbreak during the early months of 1970. The policy of offering influenza vaccination to all key workers on the council staff was continued and vaccina- tion given in the autumn. A survey carried out after the epidemic was over showed that compared with an un- vaccinated control group those vaccinated had a reasonably good protection. The programme of measles vaccination started during 1968 was unfortunately interrupted early this year. A number of severe reactions were reported following the use of one of the vaccines and it was considered that continued use of this vaccine was not justified and it was withdrawn. This resulted in a shortage of vaccine during the remainder of the year and it was only possible to vaccinate a few of the children eligible. The use of renal dialysis has made it possible to maintain in reasonably good health persons with renal failure. Although initially hospital treatment is necessary, it is possible in suitable cases for dialysis to be carried out at home. This reduces the pressure on the hospital dialysis unit and so allows more patients to be treated. It also allows the patient to lead a more normal home life and not have to spend two or three nights a week in hospital, as would otherwise be necessary. With increasing concern over the incidence of serum hepatitis in dialysis units it also safeguards the patients from this infection. Adaptations to the home are necessary to allow the home dialysis unit to be installed and used. The responsibility for this adapta- tion rests with the local authority. Your Committee has agreed that these alterations should be made without charge to the patient. The Council has agreed to the setting up of an Occupational Health Service for its staff and preliminary arrangements are being made so that the service can be ready to start in April, 1970. The service will at first be limited as regards routine medical examinations to senior staff on whom the greatest stress probably falls. It is hoped that at a later date it will be possible to widen the service to offer diagnostic screening to all staff over 40 years of age.