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notifications other than tuberculosis.
Poliomyelitis,
The poliomyelitis epidemic in Hendon in 1955 was the worst since the disease was
made notifiable, fifty-five cases occurring compared with three cases in the previous
year.
The last serious outbreak of poliomyelitis occurred in 1949 when thirty-seven
cases of the disease were notified.
Of the fifty-five cases two were fatal, thirty cases were paralytic and twentyfive
cases non-paralytic.
The outbreak was confined to the second half of the year with the exception of
two cases notified in June. The monthly distribution of the cases was as follows:-
June - 2
July - Nil
August - 4
September - 13
October - 17
November - 15
December - 4
Forty-three of the cases occurred in children under the age of 14 years. Twenty
of these were in the age group 5-9 years. Tne cases were widely distributed throughout
the Borough and the ward distribution was as follows:-
Burnt Oak - 11
West Hendon - 9
Mill Hill - 8
Central - 8
Edgware - 6
Golders Green - 5
Park - 3
Childs Hill - 3
Garden Suburb - 2
There are two schools of thought about the spread of poliomyelitis. Some
authorities consider that when the disease is epidemic cases are widespread in the
community and most of these cases are undiagnosed because they are so mild and free
from symptoms.
The wide geographical distribution of the disease in the Borough would support
this theory.
On the other hand, in recent years many authorities consider that the disease is
spread from case-to-case through a narrow stream of contacts and that close association
appears to be the most important factor. The link established between the
first two cases would support this alternative view.
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