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Scarlet Fever,
There was a reduction in the number of cases of scarlet fever notified during
the year, 108 cases occurring compared with 142 in 1954. Forty-seven of these were
removed to hospital.
This was the lowest number to be notified since 1923 when 66 cases of scarlet
fever occurred. At that time the population of the Borough was approximately one
third of the present figure.
Measles,
Measles tends to occur in epidemic form every two years and as was anticipated,
in the absence of an epidemic in 1954, the disease assumed epidemic proportions in
1955.
An outbreak of measles may be expected, therefore, about Easter 1957.
Of the cases notified, 537 occurred in the first quarter and 1243 in the second
quarter of the year.
Whooping Cough,
This disease showed an increase on the 1954 figure, 196 cases being notified
compared with 144 last year.
Malaria.
The two cases of malaria notified were contracted abroad.
Paratyphoid Fever.
The case of paratyphoid fever was a boy aged 9 years. Ten days previous to his
illness he had been on holiday at the seaside. The disease may have been contracted
there, but this is doubtful. His only symptom was a high temperature. The patient
was admitted to the Isolation Hospital on the 9th August, 1955, and discharged on
20th September, 1955, the final diagnosis being para-typhoid B.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There was a reduced incidence of ophthalmia neonatorum, 18 cases being notified
compared with 30 in 1954. Sixteen of these cases were admitted to hospital.
Food Poisoning,
Thirty notifications of food poisoning were received during 1955, an increase
of 10 over the number for 1954.