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SECTION E
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The total number of corrected notifications of infectious disease during
1959 was 1518 which was approximately 3 times the figure, 513, for the previous
year and mainly due to the increase in the number of cases of measles 1166 and 86
respectively, which were notified.
Diphtheria.
Although no cases of diphtheria were notified during the year there is little
room for complacency with regard to this disease. This degree of freedom from
diphtheria in Poplar can only be maintained by a vigorous policy of immunisation
with the whole hearted support of the public. The tendency to disregard the seriousness
of this disease is reflected in the percentage of immunisation which is far
from satisfactory.
Dysentery.
The number of notified cases showed an increase of nearly 50 per cent when
compared with the figures for 1958. There were two outbreaks at schools in this
area. The first occurred in the north of the Borough. In all 25 pupils were excluded
from attending school and the contacts of families concerned were visited and
specimens taken. The number of children confirmed as positive cases amounted to
twelve. The second outbreak concerned a school in the west of the Borough. Five
members of the staff were involved and nineteen pupils. In every case bacteriological
confirmation of the infection was obtained. A number of other cases exhibiting
symptoms were also involved but no organisms were discovered in these cases.
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