ABSTRACT
In mid-March 1982 an epidemic of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) broke out in Soweto. Over 34 000 people were treated before the epidemic subsided some 13 weeks later, the overall attack rate being 34,1/1 000. The records of 3 945 patients seen at St John's Eye Hospital were analysed, and the populations at greatest risk of contracting the disease were identified. Males were at greatest risk, with a male to female attack rate ratio of 1,8:1. The age-specific attack rates for both sexes show a similar pattern, peaking in the young adult age groups.
Subject(s)
Conjunctivitis/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/epidemiology , Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Acute Disease , Black or African American , Age Factors , Black People , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Factors , South AfricaABSTRACT
In early November 1981 an epidemic of cholera broke out in the Mokerong district of Lebowa. A large proportion of patients originated from the village of Moletlane. A matched-pair case-control study was conducted in the village at the height of the epidemic (18-24 November), and the investigation revealed that the consumption of water from the Gumpies River was significantly more common among cholera patients than among matched controls. The drinking of water sold by water-vendors was also positively associated with an increased risk of contracting cholera.
