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19
Fatality Bates per 1,000
notifications each age group
(1950-1959)
Percentage of notifications
(1950-1959)
Under 1 1-5 5 & upwards Under 1 1-5 5 & upwards
Measles 2.14 0.30 0.11 4.0 57.0 39.0
Whooping Cough 5.39 1.51 - 12.1 54.0 33.9
Over the ten-year period 54 per cent of all cases of whooping cough and 57 per cent of all
cases of measles were in children one to five years of age
(hooping Cough Prophylaxis
Whooping cough immunisation is carried out in the Local Health Authority Clinics and by
general practitioners The Divisional Medical Officer has kindly made available the following
information in regard to Islington children -
Whooping cough Prophylaxis
Total attendances 6,612
Completed cases 2,348
London (Measles and Whooping Cough) Regulations, 1938.

Acute Poliomyelitis
In the spring of 1959 cases of poliomyelitis were reported which heralded the beginning
of an outbreak which was extremely local in character particularly in the early stages which
rose to a crescendo within a few weeks of the first reported cases and then gradually eased off
so that the outbreak, as such, could be considered over by August The total number of cases was
unfortunately, the highest experienced since 1949 which with 62 cases, is the highest on record
for the Borough
The increase in 1959 cases was exceptional in that it was neither part of a National nor
even a general London increase as in other high incidence years and it was also exceptional in
that the increase occurred earlier in the year as compared with any previous similar occasions
The very localised nature of the distribution of cases and the order in which they arose can be
seen by reference to the map facing this page which sets them out according to the week of the year
when the illness first commenced.
When it became apparent in the early stages that the number of poliomyelitis cases being
reported was somewhat exceptional, arrangements were made to issue regular reports which could be
used by the local and National Press. Before this routine became recognised by the Press
representatives were inclined to telephone at any hour of the day and even during the evenings to
obtain the latest on the polio situation sometimes making detailed and personal enquiries which
could not always be answered and which were not always relevant to the poliomyelitis outbreak
When the routine reports became recognised as an established practice however it was accepted
by all, or practically all, and the Press accepted the weekly situation report on the total number
of new cases, any exceptional points, etc., and this information was issued on the same day and
at the same time each week These reports were issued under the joint signatures of the Borough
Council's Medical Officer of Health and the Divisional Medical Officer of the London County Council