London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southall 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS AND
OTHER DISEASES
The number of infectious disease cases notified during 1961 was great, because of an
epidemic of measles. All other infections were either less or much the same as in 1960—
See Tables VI and VII.
No cases of diphtheria were notified, but there was one case of acute paralytic poliomyelitis,
this however, was not confirmed.
Monthly Bulletins of Incidence of Infectious Disease
These bulletins were circulated monthly to all general practitioners in the Borough,
and, in addition to information with regard to infectious diseases occurring during the previous
month, any topical matter, or incident of mutual interest to general practitioners
and the Public Health Service, was also included.
Measles
Measles incidence was very heavy during the year 1961, and there was one death from
this cause. The following table shows the trend of notifications during the past ten years.
The 1961 outbreak had some uncharacteristic features in that it began slowly in the early
part ot the year, built up, but then continued over many months,
Poliomyelitis
One notification of anterior poliomyelitis was received in 1961—this was subsequently
confirmrmed as having been an injury only- traumatic myositis
In fact, cases were notihed in every month except December—the peak months being March, April and May.
| Year | No. of Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 528 | — |
| 1953 | 931 | 1 |
| 1954 | 41 | — |
| 1955 | 1,329 | — |
| 1956 | 61 | — |
| 1957 | 674 | 1 |
| 1958 | 476 | — |
| 1959 | 674 | — |
| 1960 | 12 | — |
| 1961 | 1,042 | 1 |
Of those previously obtaining two injections, by the end of December, 15,557 had
received a third injection.
12
Vaccination against poliomyelitis, which is organised by Middlesex County Health Department. continued throughout 1961, and details are as follows:—
| Number of persons who had received two injections at any time up to 31st December, 1961 | 18,445 | |||
| Age group:— | 1943—1960 | 1933—1942 | Born before 1933 and under 40 | Others |
| TWO injections during 1961 | 1,048 | 394 | 929 | 224 |
| THIRD injection during 1961 | 886 | 258 | 1,055 | 63 |