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15
Infectious and Other Diseases.
There was a large decrease in the number of notifications received
during 1956, as compared with 1955. Notifications to the number of
910 were received, which, compared with 2,468 received during the
Previous year, shows a decrease of 1,558. This is accounted for mainly
a drop in the incidence of measles, 1,934 cases being notified in
1955 against 274 in 1956, a decrease of 1,660.
There was, however, a sharp rise in the incidence of dysentery,
157 notifications being received in the present year as compared with
30 in 1955. The outbreak commenced in the spring of the year and
continued into the summer. Those affected were mainly children under
age of fifteen years. In all, 290 persons were either formally
notified or reported by schools and day nurseries to be affected.
Bacteriological examinations were made in connection with all cases,
including contacts. In all, 553 persons were examined, and in 216
Cases the organisms of shigella sonnei were found. A total of 1,755
specimens were submitted for examination, and 166 premises visited.
There was again no case of diphtheria notified, the last case
occurring in 1953.
There were 29 cases of poliomyelitis notified during the year, but
in 6 of these the diagnosis was not confirmed. Of the 23 confirmed
cases (17 paralytic and 6 non-paralytic) 18 occurred in children under
fifteen years of age. The death of a boy aged nine years was recorded
as due to this disease.
Diphtheria and Whooping Cough Immunisation,
Smallpox and Anti-Poliomyelitis Vaccination.
Diphtheria and whooping cough immunisation and vaccination
against smallpox and poliomyelitis were carried out during the year
under the control of the London County Council.
During May and June, and later in December a limited number
of children were vaccinated with anti-poliomyelitis serum. No case,
either confirmed or suspected, occurred among the vaccinated children.