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often than not the results are negative but this procedure
just serves to illustrate the use of another "Weapon" in the
fight against tuberculosis.
Diphtheria and Whooping Cough
No cases of diphtheria occurred in the district during
the year and it is now 11 years since a case was notified.
There were nine cases of whooping cough with three requiring
admission to hospital. This is a decided improvement
on the figures for the previous year.
The three in one vaccine affording protection against
Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus in three injections
is now in widespread use. This, plus the protection now
available against Poliomyelitis, should go a long way to
protect the rising generation from these diseases. The important
thing, however, is to try and keep this immunity
at a high level by ensuring that every child has its periodic
"booster" innoculations.
Acute Poliomyelitis
One case of Paralytic Poliomyelitis occurred in the
District last year and but for the fact that the patient had
received three anti-poliomyelitis injections I am sure the
outcome would have been fatal. I am happy to report
that the patient made a full recovery with no residual
paralysis.
Immunisation with the Salk type vaccine continued
during the year in the priority groups and later the overforty
group was included. Immunisation for the latter
group was made available through the general practitioner
service.
Towards the end of the year preliminary information
on the Sabin Oral poliomyelitis vaccine was received and no
doubt this will be issued for general use in 1962.
Food Poisoning
Only two cases of food poisoning were notified during
the year. This is highly satisfactory and it is to be hoped
will be the pattern for many years to come. As I have
already stated in my introductory remarks this improvement
may be due to the effects of health education which
has been put over to the public through the media of
radio, television, popular press, magazine articles, lectures,
posters and last but not least the personal efforts of Health
Department staffs throughout the country.