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There were two cases of Clostridium welchii food poisoning. The remaining 423 of the
500 cases of suspected food poisoning were not shown to be infected with food poisoning organisms.
INFECTIVE JAUNDICE
This was made notifiable on 1st July, 1968. In the first full year of notification, 1969,
there were 62 cases; in 1970 there were 111 cases. It is likely that this increase was due to
improved notification, but the 1970 figure still probably considerably underestimates the total
number of cases in the community.
It was not possible to carry out detailed investigation of cases because of shortage of
medical staff, but a study of the age distribution of cases did not suggest syringe transmission
or food borne infection. No outbreaks came to notice but on several occasions schools were
advised on special hygiene measures because one or more pupils were known to be suffering from
infective hepatitis.
MALARIA
Two cases of malaria occurred in 1970 in adults recently arrived from overseas who were
infected abroad with Plasmodium vivax (Benign tertian) malaria.
MEASLES
Notifications of measles declined in the period under review following the introduction
of vaccination against measles in 1968. This decline is very similar to that experienced
nationally. In 1968 a year in which a low incidence of measles would normally have been
expected only 375 cases were notified, about 2/3rds reduction. In 1969 a high incidence year,
the notifications were about half that which would be expected without immunisation. In 1970
the notifications doubled compared with 1968 but were still less than before immunisation.
The increase in this year, however, emphasises the importance of reaching and maintaining a
high immunisation rate in all children under 15-years. In 1970 less than 25% of children
aged 15-months had received the recommended measles vaccination. It is unlikely that the
disease will be controlled in the Borough until this figure reaches 80-90%.
POLIOMYELITIS
One case of paralytic poliomyelitis due to Type 2 virus occurred in a 15-year old
un-immunised boy in 1970. This was the first case in the area for over ten years. The source
of infection was not discovered but the disease may have been contracted by accidental
immersion in a sewage polluted river. Close contacts of the boy were examined and immunised;
no further cases occurred.
Blood samples from 247 Newham school children were examined for immunity to poliomyelitis
(Lancet, 11th October, 1969). Because 13% of them had a low immunity to the main epidemic
type of polio virus a booster dose of vaccine is now offered at the same time as B.C.G.
vaccination in school at the age of 12-13 years (British Medical Journal, 24th April, 1971).
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