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Whooping Cough. Two hundred and nineteen cases were
notified, an increase of sixty-two cases. The prevalence was
high from January to March. The case rate was 2.69 per
1,000 of population, compared with 2.39 per 1,000 of population
for England and Wales. Thirteen cases were admitted
to hospital with respiratory complications. There was no
death.

Whooping Cough is now the most dangerous infection of
infancy. The catarrhal phase starts like the common cold,
with coughs at first single and later grouped, and may last for
seven to fourteen days before the 'whoop' develops. This
phase is highly infectious, and the difficulty of early diagnosis
makes prevention of infection difficult in homes and schools.
The new antibiotic drug, Chloromycetin, gives hope of having
a curative effect on Whooping Cough, and when subjected to
final trials, and available in quantity, may help to resolve
many of the problems related to the disease.
Information of notifications of children under five years
of age is sent to all Health Visitors in order that help and
advice may be given where necessary. A leaflet of advice is
sent to the home of every notified case.
Immunisation against Whooping Cough. Three hundred
and forty-eight children received a course of injections during
the year, making a total of 1,031 immunised since 1945. Three
cases notified during the year had received injections. The
value of this form of immunisation is still under review. It
has been established that a degree of immunity is produced.
The most efficient and least reactive type of vaccine has yet
to be determined. The material used during the year was
Bacillus Pertussis 'S' Vaccine, 20 million bacilli per c.c.
When combined with Toxoid Antitoxin Floccules (T.A.F.) for
immunising against Diphtheria, and injected subcutaneously,
there were no reactions.
Smallpox. One case of Smallpox occurred in April. The
patient, a young man aged 20 years, a passenger contact from
S.S. "Mooltan," developed a mild febrile prodromal illness
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