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48
SECTION E
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The total number of corrected notifications of infectious disease during
1956 was 882 which was considerably less than the figure for the previous year
and mainly due to the decrease in the number of cases of measles which were
notified.
Dipltheria,
It is gratifying to report that no cases of diphtheria were notified during
the yearbutit must be emphasised that this has been achieved by a vigorous policy
of immunisation and if diphtheria is not to re-appear as a killing disease constant
vigilance is required and there must be no apathy on the part of the public in
availing themselves of immunisation facilities as this degree of freedom from this
serious disease will only be maintained if at least 80 percent of the susceptible
population are immunised and an alarming feature is that owing to the virtual
disappearance of this disease there is a tendency to disregard its seriousness
and the percentage of immunisation is barely being maintained at a satisfactory
level in spite of vigorous propaganda campaigns.
Poliomyelitis,
During the year 12 cases of poliomyelitis (7 paralytic: 5 non-paralytic)
were notified but diagnosis was confirmed in only 11 cases (7 paralytic: 4 nonparalytic).
There were no deaths from this disease.