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41
The year 1953, on the whole, showed a lower incidence of infectious
disease than 1952. The number of cases of measles was 1,231 as compared
with 3,166 the previous year. Whooping cough cases numbered
820 as compared with 756 in the year 1952.
(a) Smallpox.—No cases were notified during 1953. Notifications
regarding 7 persons who had been in contact with cases of smallpox in
other areas or on board ship were received. Seven visits were paid by
the Sanitary Inspectors.
The following gives particulars as to vaccination during 1953:—
Primary vaccination 1,439
Re-Vaccination 469
Under the National Health Service Act. 1946. compulsory vaccination
was abolished, and from 5th July, 1948, this service became the responsibility
of the Essex County Council vide Section 26 of the National Health
Service Act, 1948.
(b) Scarlet Fever.—366 cases occurred in 1953. There were no deaths
from this disease. Eleven cases were admitted to Isolation Hospitals outside
the district.
(c) Diphtheria.—No cases occurred in 1953. This is the second
successive year in which it has been possible to record a clean " bill of
health" for this disease in Ilford.
(d) Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—No cases occurred in 1953.
The following figures show the number of cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum
notified during the past five years: 1949, 1; 1950, 2; 1951, 3;
1952, nil; 1953, nil. It is to be remembered that many cases of ophthalmia
neonatorum are not due to gonorrheal infection.
(e) Enteric Fever.—No cases were reported during 1953.
(f) (i) Acute Poliomyelitis.—Seventeen cases occurred during the year.
They were males of 11, 3, 4, 5, 5, 19, 28. 31, 33 and 45 years and fernales
of 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 19 and 31 years. Sixteen cases were admitted, to the
Ilford Isolation Hospital and one to Plaistow Hospital.
Twelve cases were paralytic and five non-paralytic. There were no
fatal cases.
(ii) Acute Encephalitis.—Two cases only of this deasease occurred,
males of 33 and 41 years. Both were admitted to hospital and recovered.
(iii) Meningoccocal Infection.—Three cases of this disease occurred.
They were males of 4 months and two years and a female of 57 years.
All were admitted to hospital and made a satisfactory recovery.
(g) Pneumonia—Influenzal and Primary.—This disease was more
prevalent in 1953 than in 1952. The greatest number of notifications
mostly of the influenzal type, were received in February.
(h) Tuberculosis.—During the year 1953 there were 156 new notifications
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and 18 of other forms of Tuberculosis.
16 cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were transferred to Ilford.