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13
As far as possible the life of the community was not interfered with. Swimming baths remained
open, the Willesden baby show and carnival held on August Bank Holiday and the Annual Show held the
second week-end in September were not cancelled and the schools opened as usual on 6th September. Each case
was asked whether he or she had attended swimming baths, and there was no evidence that swimming baths
favoured the spread of infection ; nor was there any increase in the number of cases after the Carnival and
other events in Willesden where crowds gathered in the open air.
The opening of the schools had no effect on the spread of infection among school children. Before
the schools reopened on 6th September instructions on prevention were given to headmasters and canteen
staff. Only 10 school children were notified subsequently, all from different schools unconnected with each
other; the numbers notified were no higher than in previous weeks. There was only one case in the nine day
nurseries The nursery remained open, but all new admissions were stopped for three weeks, the children were
kept under observation by the health visitor and assistant medical officer, and the premises were disinfected.
Generally it would appear that it is unnecessary to institute some of the heroic measures of the past,
such as those carried out in some cities abroad (e.g. cancelling public meetings, closing swimming baths, cinemas
and other places of entertainment). Infection apparently spreads mainly through intimate contact, and not
by general association at work or in ordinary community life. One example of family spread was the infection
attacking all four parents of two related families living in the same block of flats. They were removed to
hospital, and the grandmother found it difficult to look after the seven children left behind, two of whom
were twins aged 1£ years; so a home help was allocated to do night work, in addition to some assistance given
during the day.
Paratyphoid Fever
Five cases were notified in 1955 (four confirmed).
Meningococcal Infection
5 cases were notified in 1955, and 4 were confirmed. There were two deaths. A man of' 54 years
died from meningococcal septicaemia. He was not notified. A boy of 2 years died from meningococcal meningitis
but the diagnosis was not made until the post mortem examination.
Dysentery
The number of cases of dysentery was fewer than in, the previous year, yet the disease was much
more prevalent than before the war. It is usually a mild disease, causing no deaths, but can cause some discomfort
and disruption of the life of the community. There is no evidence yet of how it is spread, but none
of the outbreaks in the borough has been traced to food. How far the disease is spread by symptomless
excreters and convalescent carriers is not known. In the outbreaks, special precautions were taken for cleanliness
and hygiene, but there was no evidence that there was any spread as a result of failure in these.
In day nurseries, because they are relatively closed communities, all cases and carriers are excluded,
but in. schools exclusions are usually restricted to cases, their contacts and convalescent carriers. Most symptomless
excreters, if not contacts, are permitted to return to school. There are, however, no set rules, and
sometimes convalescent carriers or contacts are allowed to return if the risk appears small.
140 cases were notified in 1955 (104 confirmed). There were five outbreaks of dysentery during the
year.
(1) On the 11th April an outbreak occurred at the hostel for homeless families, 91 Dartmouth Road.
Altogether 35 mothers and children were affected, 10 with mild symptoms. Six of the children were attending
Gladstone Park Day Nursery and the disease spread to other children in the Nursery; 6 children had
symptoms; 1 child and 2 members of the staff were positive on routine swabbing.
The hostel was not out of quarantine until 20th June, because the outbreak took a considerable time
to clear up, mainly owing to overcrowded conditions and unsatisfactory washing accommodation. The outbreak
at the Nursery soon cleared up and new admissions were commenced on the 13th May.
(2) On the 9th September an outbreak occurred at the Essex Road Day Nursery. 1 child had symptoms
and 35 other children were positive on routine swabbing. The child with symptoms and five carriers were admitted
to isolation hospital. New admissions were accepted in the nursery on 19th October, 1955, when all
the carriers had ceased to be infectious.
(3) On the 20th September an outbreak occurred at the Chichester Road Day Nursery. 1 child had symptoms
and 24 other children were positive on routine swabbing. Two carriers were admitted to the isolation hospital.
The infection cleared up rapidly and new admissions were accepted in the nursery on the 17th October.
(4) On the 7th November an outbreak occurred at the Longstone Avenue Day Nursery. 10 children had
mild symptoms and another 16 were positive on routine swabbing. New admissions were accepted in the
day nursery on the 19th December because the infection took some time to clear up.
(5) On 17th November an outbreak occurred at the Curzon Crescent Nursery School. 14 children were
affected, all with mild symptoms. The infection cleared up rapidly and the children were soon back at school.
Smallpox
There were no cases of smallpox.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Two cases were notified (0.76 per 1,000 live births); there were complete recovery with unimpaired
vision.