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SECTION E
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The total number of corrected notifications of infectious disease during 1958
was 513 which was less than half the figure, 1,476 for the previous year and mainly
due to the decrease in the number of cases of measles 86 and 1,010 respectively,
which were notified.
Diphtheria.
It is gratifying to report that no cases of diphtheria were notified during
the year but it 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.
Dysentery.
I am pleased to report that the number of notified cases of dysentery showed
a decrease on last year's figure and in fact were inflated a little due to notification
being received from an outbreak in 1957.
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