View report page

98
disease. It is too soon to identify any patterns which the disease may
exhibit but in due course notification will yield valuable information.
There were 25 cases during 1970 and these were scattered throughout
the age range. Three people were admitted to hospital suffering from the
disease.
Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Smallpox
This was again a year when fortunately no resident contracted any
of these diseases. The continuance of this satisfactory position must be
attributed in part to two factors: firstly, to the constant pressure of health
education by all members of staff, and, secondly to the good sense shown
by parents in responding to the immunisation and vaccination facilities
provided for their families by the local authority and general practitioner
services. It is most important, however, for the feeling to be inculcated into
the population that these infections could at any time be imported into
this country, particularly as a result of air travel, thus presenting a risk
to the unprotected.
In the control of any disease early recognition and notification are
obviously of great importance. Consequently in an endeavour to prevent
smallpox being brought into the country, and not recognised as such, all
travellers coming from countries where smallpox is endemic and who are
not in possession of valid international certificates of vaccination against
the disease are placed under surveillance for a period of 14 days after
their disembarkation. A total of 32 such cases proceeding to addresses
in the Borough were notified and kept under surveillance for the statutory
period during the year.
Whooping Cough
As was the case in 1969, only a few cases of Whooping Cough were
notified during 1970. It is possible that there may have been more than the
eleven cases notified because it is difficult to recognise patients who are
suffering from only mild manifestations of the disease.
Dysentery and Food Poisoning
The details of the 24 cases of food poisoning notified during the year
are set out in the tables overleaf:-