View report page

Smallpox.
No cases of smallpox were recorded, but visits were paid to five smallpox
contacts who lived permanently or temporarily in the Borough and who had been
in contact, in one instance, with a case which had occurred in an area outside the
Borough. Information was also received from the Medical Officer of Health of
another London Borough that a family of three persons who landed at London
Airport had come from an infected area in West Africa and were now living at
an address in this Borough. On investigation they were found to be in good health,
but precautionary action was taken in notifying Medical Officers of districts subsequently
visited by members of this family. In another case, the Army Authorities
notified this Department that a contact of a smallpox case was on leave in this
Borough. It was ascertained that this man had called at an Islington address and
proceeded to Eire, information to this effect was transmitted to the appropriate
authority.
In four other cases visits were paid by the Medical Officer of Health or Deputy
Medical Officer of Health to suspect cases on a request by the general practitioner.
These cases were not confirmed, but such measures constitute part of the precautions
which have to be taken when the slightest suspicion of smallpox has arisen. Useful
help can now also be given by the Virus Research Department of the Central Public
Health Laboratory, Colindale, which has undertaken the examination of pathological
specimens in suitable cases.

(Figures from 1948 onwards kindly furnished by Divisional Medical Officer,
London County Council.)
The Vaccination Acts were rescinded under the National Health Service Act,
946, as from 5th July, 1948.