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There were no major outbreaks of this illness, and the total of
single cases showed an improvement compared with the previous
year. Prevention of foodborne illness remains, of course, largely a
matter of personal hygiene, particularly in ensuring the cleanliness
of hands before handling food.
Measles.
One thousand, five hundred and seventy cases were notified
during the year, nine being admitted to hospital. This figure is a big
increase on the seventy-four cases which occurred during 1958.
There was one death from this disease recorded in the area during
1959, but in most instances the illness today is not of a serious
nature.
Meningococcal Infections.
No cases occurred in the area during 1959.
Pneumonia.
Thirteen cases of pneumonia were notified during 1959, as
against thirty-three in 1958, and four of these were admitted to
hospital.
There were sixty-five deaths from pneumonia. This figure
includes people normally resident in the Urban District but who died
outside the area.
Scarlet Fever.
One hundred and six cases were notified during the year,
thirteen being removed to hospital and the remainder home nursed.
This is an increase on the twenty-nine notifications received during
1958. No deaths occurred from this disease during 1959 but there
was one "return case." Generally speaking, the illness retained the
milder characteristics evident in recent years.
Smallpox and Vaccination.
No cases of smallpox occurred in this area, but one contact was
kept under surveillance for the requisite period during the year.
During the year, two hundred and fifteen International Certificates
of Vaccination passed through the hands of the department for
purposes of authenticating doctors' signatures.
The County Medical Officer informs me that a total of 1,028
residents in the Urban District received primary vaccination and 86
re-vaccination during 1959. All members of the staff of the Public
Health Department have had their usual annual opportunity of being
vaccinated.