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75
DIPHTHERIA
No notifications were received during the year. Two cases were
notified in 1955, being the only cases since 1949, whilst there have been
no deaths for seventeen 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 l9.
DYSENTERY
During 1962, sixty-seven notifications were submitted compared with
39 in 1961 and 69 in 1960.
Of this total, 59 were in an Institution in the Borough.
MEASLES
Sixty-three notifications were received during 1962, as compared
with 564 in 1961.
SCARLET FEVER
Three notifications were received during the year.
The character and frequency of this disease has undergone a dramatic
change during the century. Not only is it much less frequent i.e. 204
cases were notified in 1902, but the disease itself is now usually only a
very mild one.
WHOOPING COUGH
Six cases were notified during the year against 2k in 1961. This is
the lowest figure for many years and may well be related to the increasing
use of the vaccine which is given by both general practitioners and by all
London County Council Infant Welfare Clinics.
FOOD POISONING
During the year quite an extensive outbreak occurred which involved
many London Boroughs. In all 254 persons were infected but fortunately
only 2 of these were Chelsea residents. The outbreak was finally found
to be due to ham which had become infected with Salmonella bredeney.
Other than this there were 4 individual cases reported, for whom no food could
be incriminated.