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9.
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
The total number of infectious diseases notified during 1964,
excluding cases of measles, was 154, compared with 190 in 1963.
The number of cases of measles notified was 327 or 410 less than
in the previous year.
Of the more serious infectious diseases I was able to report
last year that for the first time for more than 20 years there
were no cases of poliomyelitis in the Borough and I am very glad
to report that there were no cases during 1964.
It is also pleasing to note that as in the three previous
years there were no cases of diphtheria.
The two cases of typhoid fever were both contracted abroad
and fortunately no secondary cases occurred here.
The number of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis notified was
44 (27 male and 17 female). This figure compares with 54 in
1963 but it is still one more than in 1962. The number of cases
of non-pulmonary tuberculosis was seven, which is three less than in
the previous year.
The figures for all infectious diseases are in general very
satisfactory. Infectious diseases are of course spread from person
to person and immunisation not only protects the person immunised
but also prevents the spread from that person to others. In
addition modern methods of treatment frequently reduce the period
during which a person is infectious to others. It is hoped that the
new vaccine against measles will prove to be as effective as the
vaccines against smallpox, diphtheria and poliomyelitis.
A summary of the notifications received is included in the
statistical section.