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Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis
One case of acute anterior poliomyelitis was notified in 1954
as against five during the previous year.This case was paralytic.
Shortly before this Report was written the news was received
that an efficient vaccine against poliomyelitis was at last avail
able in the united States. Since then of course further news
has come to hand of actual cases of poliomyelitis occurring very
shortly after vaccination while it has been stated that parents
have been affected presumably as the result of intimate contact.
I think it would be safe to say. however that we can look forward
to the day in the relatively near future when a safe and effici
ent vaccine will be available in this country to protect children
against poliomyelitis just as they have been protected against
diphtheria and to a lesser extent against pertussis. In the
meantime we must continue our general measures of protection,
basing our actions on the knowledge available to us. I need
scarcely point out that propaganda in regard to poliomyelitis is
regularly carried out mainly through the schools. I also make a
point of informing general practitioners of any undue occurrences.
This propaganda is extremely valuable the one proviso being that
any feeling of alarm must at all costs be avoided
Measles
29 cases of measles were notified during the year as against
778 in 1953 This is the lowest figure recorded in Wood Green
since measles became notifiable in 1940 Admission to hospital
was only required in three cases an indication of the mild
character of the disease
Once again we must remember that the character of measles may
change from year to year there being no guarantee that the pres
ent low virulence will be maintained I am satisfied that the
vast majority of Wood Green parents appreciate the situation and
take the necessary precautions This being so it only remains
to make certain that thepossible dangers resulting from an attack
of measles especially in a young child are made known from
time to time.
Pertuss is
Eighty cases of pertussis were notified during the year as
against 202 in 1953. It will thus be seen that the number of
pertussis cases which occurred during the year was actually higher
than the corresponding measles total This could almost be des
cribed as a phenomenon.
We have continued our policy of immunisation both against
pertussis alone and against diphtheria and pertussis combined
Although pertussis immunisation does not give a full guarantee
of protection it is generally agreed that efficient immunisation
will modify an attack. This modified attack which represents
merely a trifling illness is then followed by life long immunity
Although there is an obvious danger that these modified attacks
may go unnoticed thus helping to keep infection alive and so
passing on the infection to other children available evidence
would seem to show that our present programme of immunisation
coupled with health education is correct and that it should be
vigorously pursued
It can at least be said that Wood Green parents show a decided
preference for combined immunisation as against immunisation
against diphtheria and pertussis at different times. The choice
is left entirely to the parent although we recommend the combined
method unless any contra indications exist.
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