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16
REPORT ON POLIOMYELITIS.
The epidemic commenced in the Borough on July 18th, 1949.
Prior to this date, 3 cases of poliomyelitis had been notified, 2 of which were confirmed—one a girl
of 18 years (paralytic) and one a girl of 17 years (non-paralytic).
The total number of cases of poliomyelitis notified during the year was 57, and of these 33 were
confirmed. This far exceeded the numbers in 1948, when there were 16 notifications (11 confirmed), but the
epidemic did not reach the same proportions as in 1947, when there were 89 notifications (45 confirmed). There
were, however, 4 deaths in 1949, as compared with 3 in 1947, and none in 1948.
54 cases were notified during the period July 18th to December 31st, 1949: 49 in Willesden, and 5
outside Willesden. Of the latter 5 cases, 1 was a boy who had returned to school from Willesden to Ipswich,
1 was a Willesden nursery nurse on holiday in the Isle of Wight, and 3 were admitted to London hospitals
outside Willesden. 61-1 per cent of the notified cases were confirmed, as compared with 50-6 per cent for 1947
The majority of the cases occurred in the months of September and October. The epidemic virtually
ceased on October 16th, as there were only 4 further cases, the last on November 30th.

0-1 years | 1-5 years School Age Adults
2 10 8 13
The number of cases in adults was greater than usual, 39.4 per cent, as compared with 15.6 per cent
in 1947. Three adults (1 a man of 30 years, 1 a man of 29 years, and a girl of 19 years), and 1 boy aged 7½ years,
died of the disease. The percentage of paralytic cases, 42.4 per cent, was, however, lower than in 1947
(68-8 per cent).
The precautions taken were as outlined in the report of 1947, and the new film," Poliomyelitis Diagnosis
and Management," was shown to general practitioners and members of the medical and nursing staff at the
Town Hall on September 1st, 1949. The swimming baths were not closed during the epidemic, although their
closure was recommended, because samples during the period of the epidemic showed that the water was
contaminated, and the number of bathers had increased because of the hot weather. The day nurseries were
not closed, as no cases occurred in them. The schools were re-opened in September as usual.
The number of patients admitted to hospitals in London during the year was 55, and 32 were confirmed
as suffering from the disease: 4 died, 3 were transferred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, and
25 were discharged to their homes. Of these 25 cases, 4 remained under the treatment and supervision of the
Orthopaedic Treatment Department at Stonebridge Health Centre, 3 attended the out-patients' department
of the Hospital for treatment, and 18 did not require any further treatment.