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Measles.
As noted elsewhere, 973 cases of measles were notified during
the year, as against 43 cases in 1956.
These facts indicate that 1957 was a "measles" year. Once
again, the disease itself was mild in the extreme.
Pertussis.
73 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) were notified during
the year, as against 150 cases in 1956. As noted elsewhere, we are
continuing our policy of offering immunisation against pertussis
(whooping cough). Again, as noted elsewhere, these injections are
being given quite apart from immunisation against diphtheria.
As pertussis (whooping cough) is most serious during the first
six months of life, our programme is aimed at protecting children
as soon as possible after birth, having due regard to the need for
vaccination against smallpox during the same period.
Smallpox.
No case of smallpox occurred during 1957. 1957, however, did
see the occurrence of 3 cases of smallpox in the neighbouring
Borough of Tottenham. This produced 20 Southgate contacts,
none of them, fortunately, close contacts of the Tottenham cases.
It was, however, necessary to keep these contacts under the closest
surveillance and to ensure that, should a case arise, the necessary
steps to prevent spread of the disease could be taken without delay.
It was also necessary to request the services of the smallpox consultant
for the Area on two occasions. In both instances, the cases
which the Consultant was asked to see proved to be rather unusual
types of chicken-pox.
I would take the opportunity here of expressing my sincere
thanks to the Public Health Inspectors, who did a great deal of
useful work during this period in tracing contacts and keeping a
watch on the houses from which contacts had been reported.
The occurrence of definite contacts of a disease such as smallpox
requires urgent and immediate attention. Nothing can be left to
chance; no gaps must be left in our defences. Fortunately, as I
have already stated—and this was very largely due to the excellent
way in which the limited outbreak in Tottenham was handled—
the smallpox interlude passed without incident. During this period,
we pursuaded eleven persons, either definite contacts or members
of households in which contacts had been reported, to accept
vaccination.
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