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This infection is endemic. Sporadic cases occur throughout
the year. Prevalence is higher in the first quarter. Children
under five years are the most susceptible age group. Cases are
most numerous under the age of one year. Early diagnosis and
prompt treatment wi th Sulphonamideare essential for the prevention
of mortality.
Poliomyelitis Eleven cases were notifled in 1957, compared
with twelve in 1956. Six were paralytic and five non-paralytic.
Four were adults and seven were children. Six were males and
five were females. Of the paralytic cases, three recovered with
slight weakness. A woman aged twenty nine years and a girl aged
eight years have residual paralysis of one arm. Two deaths
occurred. A man aged sixty four years died of Acute Polioencephalitis.
A girl aged twelve years died from respiratory
paralysis contracted in 1956.
The object of Vaccination against Poliomyelitis is to reduce
the incidence of paralysis and to prevent mortality. It is hoped
that the immune bodies evoked by the vaccine will protect the
nervous system from invasion by the virus. The incidence of
cases may not be reduced. It is still necessary to emphasise
the need for precautionary rest in any febrile condition which
might be a reaction to infection. Tiredness predisposes to
paralysis. Rest reduces the risk.
Pneumonia. There were twenty three deaths from Pneumonia
in 1957, compared with twenty four in 1956. influenza was a
contributory cause in eight. Forty three cases of Pneumonia were
notified in 1957, compared with twenty one in 1956. Twenty six
were cases of influenzal Pneumonia.
influenza. A severe epidemic of influenza due to a variant
of Virus A occurred throughout the Borough in the Autumn. Sporadic
cases were reported at the beginning of October. infection
spread rapidly in schools and places of work. Hospital staffs
were depleted. incidence reached a peak within two weeks.
Decline was slow and cases continued to occur until the end of
the year. The short period of invalidism prevented serious
dislocation of public services. The acute phase lasted three or
four days. Residual debility followed. Complication by
Bronchitis was frequent. Cases of Pneumonia increased. Ten
deaths were directly due to influenza.
Non-Notifiab1e Diseases School teachers reported one
hundred and forty five cases of Mumps, sixty six cases of Chicken
Pox and fifty four cases of German Measles. School returns are
a useful index of the prevalence of non-notifiable diseases and
are a basis for consultation with the school medical officer.
infestations. No case of Scabies or head lice was treated
at the clinic during the year.
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