Page 358 - Bahrain Gov annual reports (V a)_Neat

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PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT
(Report by Dr. J. D. Grant)
The virtual disappearance of Malaria from Bahrain and the reappearance of Smallpox,
after an absence of six years, were the outstanding Public Health features of the year. The
major problems of slum clearance, village sanitation, sewage and drainage and measures for
improving the general standard of hygiene remain unsolved but owing to political unrest it
was a difficult time inwhich to make progress and anyform of official action was greatly resented.
In fact, an attempt to enforce a sanitary bye-law in Manama in March resulted in a serious
breach of the peace. Towards the end of the year, public opinion became more favourable and
a lay council was set up to advise on health matters. Their work so far augurs well for the
future.
The successful outcome of the Anti-Malaria campaign is well illustrated by figures showing
the incidence rate of malaria among a selected group of the population over the past three years
(Table A). Control work continued to be based on a combination of residual insecticide
spraying and anti-larval measures. Spraying of all houses in the rural areas and the living
quarters of the lower income group in towns with a Gammexane Lindane preparation was
carried out at the beginning of each transmission period. This measure was very popular as in
addition to malaria protection it brought temporary relief from flies and other insects, provid­
entially, there are still no signs of resistance to this insecticide. The most widely practised
anti-larval measure and the one requiring the strictest supervision was the treatment of breeding
places by a locally prepared larvicidal oil. Due to rapid town expansion, the lack of proper
drainage and sewage and the increasingly neglected irrigation systems in the gardens; this aspect
of control work grows from year to year. The figures showing the number of breeding places
treated and the quantities of larvicidal oil used over the past two years gives some indication of
this trend. (Table B). Entomological studies of local vectors have shown that A. Stephens! is
the most predominant species, A. fluviatilis is on the decline and that A. superpictus has com­
pletely disappeared from Bahrain. (Table C). It was interesting to note from the meteorological
statistics now available that in Bahrain the association between temperature and relative
humidity and the transmission periods of Malaria is in accordance with accepted principles.
was JvounTclfildX SS u ^ ab°U? fhe middIe of °ctober- The first case, in Dumistan
sspsass
seven davs after his rM 3 b^1 a V*S*1 10 *rac* w*tb b‘s Parents and developed symptoms

sTaee of the S. mfeCtl°n in ^ and had arrived ™ Bahrain during the pre-eruptive
spread from f? ““P"* detection by 'he Port Health Inspector!. The outbreak
went no further ° ^ furr.oundinS villages and to the Naim district of Manama but it
ZdeleVCnKfIly 0Ut in the middIe of January. The total number of cases
erouD and twire ac S 1~e Pal*ents were babies and children in the 8—12 years age
ated and conversely"13^ CS aj Jemale? were affected. None of the cases had been vaccin-
non locals domieiHa110 va^In*ted person contracted the disease. With the exception of three
to b medteal treatment was provided as parents refused to allow the patients

measure! ' rc-vaccinations were carried out as a further precautionary

one is being recruited toa«i^hhnViCA ®r0.Wa t0 a opacity beyond one doctor and a second
and when completed, will help to maked^ C !n,cfor Manama Schools has been sanctioned
health of the pupils was better than ia«l th !,rV!cc more efficient in that area. The general
and sanitary Editions in the schools ^Themm^ has ,beenan improvement in the hygienic
minor injuries and eye and ear infections ThtTa^? rRreV?|en-d,Seas“ Were trachoma- bollj’
to introduce B.C.G. Vaccination The sche™ D)' Durlng the year an attemPt was made
headmasters and it was confined to 373 nu^u^ notJncet with the ful1 approval of parents or
(Table E) but the survey was not „im3« P P f™m lhree schools. The results are recorded
incidence of Tuberculosfs among school boyshBahrain^^ “y re'iab,e indiCi“i0n “S ‘°

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