DISEASE REPORT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29981, 16 November 1962, Page 7

DISEASE REPORT

Influenza Still Waning

Respiratory influenza was still on the wane during the four weeks ended October 28. according to the periodic report of the research committee of the Canterbury faculty of the College of General Practitioners. Although there was, on average, one more doctor reporting weekly than in the previous four weeks, the total number of respiratory viral infections recorded was 55 fewer at 120. Neurotropic viral cases totalled four for the latter period against 16 in the earlier, and enterovirus cases feu from 10 to six. Staphylococcal infections in adults were 50 per cent higher at 45, and in children 33 per cent, higher at 20. There was a sharp rise in reports of gastroenteritis, from 35 in the earlier period to 73 in the later. Otitis media (middle-ear infection) accounted for 50 patients compared with 28 in the previous period. Acute tonsilitis rose from 62 cases to 90, and herpes zoster (shingles) from six to 11.

Chickenpox provided only eight patients compared with 18 in the previous four weeks.

Many doctors reported sore throats and fever as being very common, with tonsils often inflamed.

One doctor said vasomotor rhinitis ("hay fever”) had started to make its appearance in mid-October and showed a considerable increase towards the end of the month.

Another doctor reported five cases of Meniere’s syndrome, three in one family. This is a dizziness brought on by viral infections.