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57
DIPHTHERIA
No notifications were received during the year. Two cases were
confirmed in 1955, being the only cases since 1949, and there have
been no deaths for thirteen years.
Immunisation has played a major part towards the present excellent
position, nevertheless it is constantly necessary to publicise the
efficacy of such a service. Details of services provided during the
year will be found on page 18.
SMALLPOX
No case of Smallpox has been notified to the Public Health Department
as having occurred in the Borough since 1928, and there have been no
deaths from this disease for over fifty years.
Information was received during the year regarding four contacts
who had travelled to addresses in the Borough, and all were given
advice on the precautionary action they should take.
POLIOMYELITIS
Three notifications of poliomyelitis came to hand and all were
subsequently confirmed as being of the paralytic type.
All the cases were adult, one being over thirty and the other two
over forty years of age. The two older persons were infected before
returning from abroad, and all were reported to be making satisfactory
progress.
Vaccination against poliomyelitis was commenced by the London
County Council in 1956, and was only available to children in certain
age groups, but as the supply of vaccine improved, the Ministry of
Health extended the programme and the following persons are now
eligible:-
All persons six months to 25 years of age.
Expectant mothers.
General medical practitioners and ambulance staff
and the families of such persons.
Staff of hospitals where poliomyelitis is treated
during the infectious stage, and the families of
such staff.
Medical Officers of Health, Public Health Inspectors
and Disinfectors.
WHOOPING COUGH
Only twenty cases were notified during the year against 69 in 1957.
This followed the trend throughout the Country, where the number of
cases notified showed a drop of over 60% compared with the previous year.