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10
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS.
Ten cases of acute poliomyelitis were notified during the
year, seven paralytic and three non-paralytic. Two deaths
occurred. One of these, a young soldier stationed in the district,
was not diagnosed until after a post-mortem examination. His
home address was not in this district. The second death
occurred in the person of a male adult, the illness having a
rapid fatal termination. All the other cases recovered from the
acute stage of the illness, but afterwards suffered in varying
degree from resultant paralysis.
MEASLES.
The number of cases of Measles notified (171) although
numerous, was far below the figure for 1949 (503). Five cases
were removed to Hospital and no deaths occurred. Prophylactic
serum for contacts was supplied to all doctors who made
application.
WHOOPING COUGH.
The number of cases of whooping cough notified was
seventy-nine which was a few below the figure for 1949 (94).
Two cases were removed to hospital. No deaths occurred.
DYSENTERY.
The twenty cases of dysentery were of the mild sonne type
and occurred among the infants and staff at a Day Nursery.
The outbreak occurred in the last month of the year and
energetic measures were taken to stamp it out. There was no
definite evidence as to the original source of infection but the
following facts were suggestive. One child who, during the
outbreak, gave positive results was excluded during October.
She returned on 5th November having a doctor's certificate
stating that she had suffered from enteritis but was free from
infection. After an interval she commenced passing loose
motions again and was excluded once more on 4th December.
It was then found that her mother, brother and two sisters all
gave positive results.