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Biomedical subjects

E White

Publications and source records attributed to E White.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Smallpox eradication in Rajasthan, India.

In 1962, when the smallpox eradication programme was launched in India, there were 3909 reported cases in Rajasthan. Mass vaccination was introduced but had little impact on the incidence of the disease; in 1970, 4074 cases were reported and in 1971, the reported incidence (4821 cases) was the highest in India. Changes in the vaccination technique, the use of a new and potent vaccine and the introduction of a new strategy based on surveillance and containment of outbreaks, rather than mass vaccination, brought good results. By 1972, only 1970 cases were reported and endemic smallpox was eliminated from Rajasthan before the launching of the intensified all-India compaign in July, 1973. In 1974, epidemics were occurring in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh as well as in Bihar and West Bengal. But in that year, there were only 10 new smallpox outbreaks in Rajasthan, all originating from imported cases. The organization and progress of the eradication campaign and the history of smallpox eradication in Rajasthan are described in this communication.

Communicable Disease Control↗

Hepatitis B virus infection in dentists.

To evaluate viral hepatitis as a hazard in general dentistry, we surveyed participants in an annual health-screening program at the 1972 American Dental Association session. Of 1245 practitioners, 0.9 per cent were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and 12.7 per cent were antibody positive. Of those who had had clinical hepatitis while studying or practicing dentistry, 43 per cent were seropositive. The frequency of evidence for prior infection with hepatitis B virus increased uniformly with increasing years of professional experience. The proportion of seropositive dentists did not vary with geographic region of the United States, or size of community. Only 10.5 per cent recognized illicit self-injection among patients, and their infection rate was not increased. These data indicate an increased frequency of infection with hepatitis B virus among general dentists, and are compatible with relatively uniform endemicity of subtype/ad strans of that agent in the general population for several decades.

Adult↗

Viral hepatitis as an occupational hazard of dentists.

To estimate the risk of viral hepatitis for practicing dentists, a questionnaire survey was conducted in the greater Los Angeles area among the part-time faculty of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. An icteric episode diagnosed as hepatitis had been experienced by 11, representing 3.9% of the 285 dentists to whom questionnaires were mailed or 4.5% of the 242 respondents. All illnesses occurred after graduation from dental school, and five were after 1967. For general dentists, the minimal frequency was 2.7 (5 of 187 in the sample). Specialists with emphasis in surgical forms of dentistry had hepatitis with a significantly higher frequency: 3 of 19 oral surgeons; 1 of 13 periodontists; and 1 of 9 endodontists. The risk did not vary in this sample with the proportion of young adult patients (15 to 29 years of age) in the practice or recognizable illicit self-injection among patients. Auxiliary dental personnel seem to have a lower risk than dentists themselves. Measures to reduce the hazard are indicated, but at present these are confined to greater care in avoiding percutaneous introduction.

Adolescent↗