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Poliomyelitis.
The district was amongst many areas visited by
epidemics of infantile paralysis in the summer of 1949.
From June onwards reports of outbreaks in various parts of
the country were being received, and preparations were put
in hand by the appropriate authorities for the diagnosis and
isolation of patients. Public appeals were made through the
press and local cinemas, Rotary and the Hygienic Food
Traders' Guild, in an effort to improve the general standard
of personal and domestic hygiene, with particular emphasis
on the control of house flies.
It was not till early September that the first case in the
district occurred, but from then until the end of the year, a
total of 30 cases were notified. Two cases ended fatally after
a very brief illness; 10 had made a complete recovery by the
end of the year; the remainder (18) are left with some degree
of disability.
Smallpox.
Two contacts of a fatal case of smallpox returned to
their homes in the district on disembarking from an infected
ship. Both were vaccinated and kept under surveillance
during the danger period. This should serve as a salutory
reminder of the continuing need for vigilance against this
disease, and the decline in the numbers of infants undergoing
vaccination is rather disturbing. Total vaccinations performed
in the district during the year was only 176, and 50
re-vaccinations of persons proceeding overseas.
Diphtheria.
No cases of diphtheria occurred during the year. The
free immunization of children by general practitioners and at
clinics has been maintained.
543 children completed a course of immunization during
the year. 130 re-inforcing injections were also administered.
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