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The increased number of cases, though not approaching
epidemic proportion, caused considerable anxiety among
parents in the Borough and many and varied enquiries concerning
this disease were received and dealt with by the
Public Health Department. A large number of Head Teachers
also sought advice and it was considered advisable to send
to every school a printed list of instructions authorising
the general precautions to be taken during the summer
months when poliomyelitis is prevalent.
There is also a pamphlet distributed at the Town Hall
and Public Libraries giving instructions with regard to
procedure when a case of poliomyelitis is diagnosed.
A - METHODS OF CONTROL.
Control of the infected individual, contacts and
environment.
(i) All cases are notified to the Medical Officer of
Health.
(ii) All suspected cases are isolated, usually in hospital,
for three weeks.
(iii) Disinfection of throat discharges, faeces and
soiled articles is carried out in hospital.
(iv) Quarantine is of unproved value. While quarantine
of family contacts is theoretically worthwhile
there is no evidence of practical benefit because
of the large number of unrecognised infections in
the community.
(v) Immunisation - A vaccine is at present being prepared
by two independent firms and it is hoped
that a supply of this, though only limited at
first, will be available in the spring of next
year.