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Whooping Cough
Following a year of exceptionally low incidence, the prevalence of
whooping cough rose significantly. The number of cases notified at
345 compares with 98 in the year before and an average of 326 in the
previous five years. The incidence was spread over the year, but was
rather heavier in the first quarter. Of the total, nine were patients in
hospital not residents of the district. All recovered.
As previously reported, the County Council's scheme now provides
for immunisation against whooping cough. Extensive trials are still
being conducted by the Medical Research Council into the efficacy of
this procedure. Whilst the degree of success is not yet of the same
order as in the case of diphtheria immunisation, research, so far,
undoubtedly shows that the most recent vaccines have a definite value
as prophylactic agents.
The number of children under five years of age given this immunisation
treatment continues to rise steadily and now approaches
30%. The numbers involved are not yet sufficiently great to expect
any significant or permanent effect upon the general incidence of this
disease. There is, however, evidence that in many instances, whilst the
disease is not entirely prevented, its severity is markedly reduced by
this treatment. This attenuation of the attack, however, does create
a difficulty in the exercise of control over the spread of the infection.
Many cases are so modified in their clinical manifestations, including
the suppression of the typical "whoop," that their true nature is not
recognised and no attempt at isolation is made.
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