London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Romford 1959

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]

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39
5. PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
(i) Notifiable Diseases
Those notifications where the diagnosis has been altered after a
period of observation, or after investigation have not been recorded.
If, however, the diagnosis has proved to be of another type of infection,
which is notifiable, this has been suitably recorded, and the amendment
has been sent to the Registrar-General at the end of the appropriate
quarter.
(a) Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis
This year, only one notification was received, and it was indicated
that the condition was paralytic. The history did not suggest Poliomyelits-the
child showed a limp for one day only, following a knock
on the leg, and as he had recovered within 24 hours he was not admitted
to hospital. In point of fact, it would appear that there were no cases
during 1959. Our immunising campaign against this condition should
go a long way towards keeping the disease in check.
In connection with this campaign, 5,685 children under the age of
15 years received a course of two injections, and in addition, 17,330
received a "booster" dose. Likewise, 7,900 adolescents received two
injections, and 4,393 a "booster" dose. Furthermore, 1,134 expectant
mothers received two injections, and 433 a "booster" dose.
(b) Acute Infective Hepatitis.
This is a condition which is notifiable in the Eastern Region.
Altogether, there were four notifications.
(c) Diphtheria.
Once again, I have to report an absence of Diphtheria from the
district, and this again can, in large measure be attributed to our scheme
of immunisation.
Th following statistics relate to the state of immunisation at 31st
December. In addition to the initial series of injections, "booster"
doses have been given.

TABLE 16

Under 5 years5-15 years
Number of children who had completed a full course of Immunisation at any time up to 31st December, 1959, and who were born between 31st December, 1944 and 31st December, 19595,38416,955