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Smallpox (Variola)
No cases of smallpox occurred in the Borough during the year. One contact of smallpox
was notified from the Port Authorities. Routine visiting was carried out and no infection
developed.
Vaccination against Smallpox
The total figures for vaccination showed no improvement in 1958, but the percentage
of children receiving vaccination during their first year of life rose from 45 in 1957 to 52 in
1958, and as this figure has been falling for years it is satisfactory to find an upward trend
this time.

Scarlet Fever (Scarlatina)
The number of notifications received during the year was 45 as compared with 34 for
the previous year. There were two secondary cases, i.e. occurring within three weeks
following the notification of a previous case in the same household. This infection appears
to have become a little more widespread lately, and although the cases are mostly mild, there
is now and again one more severe with ear, heart or kidney complications, so that it is still a
disease to be treated with considerable care and good isolation. All the cases were, however,
nursed at home.
In September the incidence of colds and sore throats at one school in the Borough caused
the Head Teacher to telephone the Department for advice. There had been cases of scarlet
fever and, therefore, a visit was paid to the school in order to examine and if necessary take
swabs from the throats of any children in the infants classes showing symptoms. Twenty
throat swabs were taken and two of the children were found to have infectious germs in
their throats and were sent for treatment. No further cases of scarlet fever occurred.
Diphtheria
No cases of diphtheria were notified to the Department.
The following information supplied by the Area Medical Officer shows the number of
children immunised against diphtheria during the year.
16