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
West Ham 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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DIPHTHERIA
Fourteen cases occurred during the year, the highest total since 1948. The annual
Incidence of diphtheria during the past ten years is indicated below:-
YEAR NO. OP OASES
1945 133
1946 98
1947 33
1948 41
1949 4
1950 1
1951 5
1952 -
1953 1
1954 1
1955 14
The disease appeared In two phases, the first from February to July involving a total
of 8 cases, the second in November and December when there were a further 6 cases. Two
further cases occurred in January, 1956, but are excluded from the present report.
All the cases occurred in closely related areas of the Borough. The numbers in the
affected Wards Is given below and the distribution of the cases Is indicated on the
accompanying map:-
West Ham 8
Broadway 2
Plashet Road 2
High Street 1
Plaistow 1
8