Infectious disease decline

Press, 27 August 1977, Page 2

Infectious disease decline

The total notification of all infectious diseases declined by about 1500 during the year ended March 31, the report said. The decline in the notification of infectious hepatitis continued during the year, and the number of people with gonorrhea attending venereal disease clinics fell for the first time in five years, the report said. A V.D. telephone answering service had been started! in Wellington and had had maximum use, large numbers of patients attending clinics as a result. This service would be extended, the report said. Various surveys throughout New Zealand continued to show an acceptable level of immunisation with triple vaccine and poliomyelitis, but there were pockets where the level was not satisfactory. "The measles and rubella immunisation levels vary more markedly and on the whole are not satisfactory.” However, very few congenital rubella cases had been confirmed in babies since the condition was made notifiable, the report said. The present notification scheme had not proved effective, and was. under review.