represents a considerable increase in the number of cases of amoebic dysentery.
(g) Rabies
The worst outbreak on record occurred during the year. There were 40 canine cases proved and 20 human fatalities. The following table shows the monthly occurrence of the
cases.
Month
Canine
Human
No. of dog heads
brought in for No. of dogs
examination proved rabid
January
7
1
1
February
17
March
6
April
4
1
1
May
8
5
I
June
10
1
July
7
August
20
11
AN
2
4
September
44
October
23
November
10
00 10 00
8
4
5
2
3
5
December
8
4
1
Total:
.164
40
20
An intensive campaign was instituted to control stray dogs and new legislation was introduced making prophylactic inoculation of dogs inter alia, compulsory. The outbreak was largely confined to the urban area of the Kowloon Peninsula.
(h)) Measles
Four hundred and fifty eight cases were reported with 44 deaths giving a mortality rate of 9.6% as against 190 cases with 6 deaths giving a mortality rate of 3.2% for 1948. 235 of these cases occurred during the first 3 months of the year.
(i)
Puerperal Fever
Thirteen cases were reported with 6 deaths giving a mortality rate of 46.1% as against 10 cases with 5 deaths giving a mortality rate of 50% for 1948. An outbreak in one hospital lead to a strict control and inspection of the nursing and attendant staff.
(j) Tuberculosis
Seven thousand five hundred and ten cases were reported with 2,611 deaths.
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