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Measles
This disease occurs epidemically every two years and
1961 was an epidemic year when 2,741 cases were notified.
This is the highest figure since 1957 and the second highest
in the past twenty years. The graph on page 36 shows the
number of notifications and deaths from this disease for
the years 1942-1961 and although there is no indication
of any decrease in incidence, it is noteworthy that the
fatality rate has been substantially reduced. The severity
of measles has been controlled by modern methods of treatment
which have saved lives and prevented disabling sequelae
such as blindness and deafness, but it is still a serious
illness requiring prompt medical attention. Last year there
was only one death, the first from this disease since 1957.
Trials of a vaccine against measles have given encouraging
results, but it is too early to say whether it will be
generally available in the near future.
Poliomyelitis
Only two cases of this disease occurred during the
year, both in children under two years of age. One was unimmunised
and the other had had its first injection only
two weeks before contracting the disease. Both were cases
of paralytic poliomyelitis.
Smallpox
No cases of this disease occurred in Camberwell during
the year, although the Medical Officer of Health was called
into consultation in several instances of suspected smallpox.
Severe chicken-pox in coloured persons was the diagnosis
inmost of these cases. It was necessary, however, to keep
under surveillance several smallpox contacts from a ship
which arrived in London with the report that a member of
the crew had been landed at Suez suffering from modified
smallpox. Fortunately, none of them contracted the disease.
Tuberculosis
Of the 17 male deaths from respiratory tuberculosis
(slightly above the average of 15 for the past five years),
15 were in persons aged 45 years or more. Two females died
of this disease. These figures direct attention to the major
part that older males now play in disseminating this
infection.