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48
SECTION F.
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER DISEASES.
General.
Four hundred and eighty-four notifications of infectious diseases
were received during the year, compared with 1,890 recorded
during 1959.
The difference in the figures for these two years is mainly
accounted for by the decrease in the number of cases of measles
which during 1960 amounted to 139 against the 1,570 for 1959.
Although many of the cases could not be confirmed bacteriologically,
the substantial increase in notifications of dysentery
and food poisoning during the year, reinforces the importance of
maintaining the highest standards of care in personal hygiene, particularly
in the handling of food, if these comparatively minor,
though debilitating illnesses are to be avoided.
Oh the other hand it is gratifying to be able to record the complete
absence in the district during the year, of anterior poliomyelitis.
The moral that can be drawn from this, is that since any freedom
from this complaint can be largely attributed to the successful
scheme of immunisation, individuals neglecting to obtain this
immunity are placing themselves seriously at risk. This applies
equally to the protection of children against diphtheria, of which
there were also no cases during the year.
Details of individual diseases will be found in the subsequent
paragraphs.
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis and Vaccination.
No cases were notified.
The County Medical Officer informs me that a total of 4,746
residents in the Urban District received their second injection, and
5,846 their third injection against this disease during the year.
Diphtheria and Diphtheria Immunisation.
For the 11th consecutive year, I am pleased to be able to report
a complete absence of this disease in the Urban District.
I understand from the County Medical Officer that a total of
15,816 children resident in the area who were under the age of 15
years on 31st December, 1960, have, at some time before that date,
completed a course of immunisation against this disease.