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17
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Measles-Following its two year cycle, there was an outbreak
which continued over a longer period than usual. Most cases
were mild and there were no deaths. There are reports of an
experimental vaccine to protect against Measles. With such
widespread but mild infections it is difficult to decide how
much effort should be given to active immunisation. Parents too,
do not relish an increase in the number of inoculations to which
children can be subjected.
Poliomyelitis-There was one paralytic and one non-paralytic
case notified. The children were related, and from both Type 2
virus was isolated. The child who was paralysed had received
one injection only of polio vaccine in 1959. The other patient
had received two injections in 19 58
Pood Poisoning-There were two notable outbreaks of mild food
poisoning. One involved 40 of the staff of a factory, and the
other 100 office workers. From our enquiries and laboratory
reports, both were due to failure to follow one of the requirements
of the Pood Hygiene Regulations, viz:- the need for prompt
cooling and cold storage of food which is cooked and kept for
some hours before being served. Both Canteens were well designed
and equipped, and the failure to obey the rules was due
to ignorance. Offers of lecture demonstrations to catering staff
were accepted.
Same years ago similar lecture demonstrations on "Clean Food"
were offered to all owners of food premises and canteens in
Croydon. The response was fairly satisfactory. This offer was
therefore repeated in a letter from the Chairman of the Health
Committee, attention being drawn to the outbreaks described
above.