View report page

3
INFECTIVE DISEASES
The number of deaths from all notifiable infectious diseases was
111. This included 47 from all forms of tuberculosis and 53 from the
notifiable forms of pneumonia. There were two deaths from poliomyelitis
and two deaths from measles.
From all notifiable infective diseases the death-rate was 0.32 per
1,000.
Table IV shows the number of cases of the notifiable diseases
reported, arranged in age groups, and Table V shows the same figures
arranged in the sub-district in which they occurred.
Smallpox
No case occurred in the Borough during the year.
Notification is received from Port and Local Authorities of persons
coming into the Borough who may have been in contact with Smallpox.
Observation for the necessary period is kept on these persons by
members of the Public Health Department.
Diphtheria
Four cases of diphtheria (in children aged 2,4, 5, and 6 of the same
family) occurred during the latter half of the year. One child unfortunately
died.
Investigation of family and school contacts was carried out and
nose and throat swabs taken from those contacts with a history
of sore throats. All swabs proved negative on bacteriological
examination.
Scarlet Fever
Two hundred and two cases were notified compared with 289 in
1955 and 345 in 1954. The diagnosis was not confirmed in one case.
No deaths occurred.
Whooping Cough
Five hundred and forty-eight cases were notified.
There were no deaths.
Measles
The number of cases notified during the year was 677 compared
with 5,206 in 1955, 303 in 1954 and 2,850 in 1953.
12