View report page

13
WHOOPING COUGH. The number of cases notified was 230, as compared with
453 in 1951 and 558 in 1950. The disease is, nevertheless, far too constantly
prevalent and apart from danger to life it can be a cause of prolonged
morbidity and even chronic illhealth. Experiments in regard to artificial
protection are being carefully watched and the results awaited with much
interest. It would appear that there is great hope of a satisfactory vaccine
being made available in the relatively near future.
SMALLPOX. No cases of Smallpox occurred but information was received as to
the arrival in the Borough of two contacts of the disease. These persons
were visited daily for sixteen days from the last date of contact. Outbreaks
of this disease in various parts of the country in recent years stress the
need for no relaxation of effort in preventive measures. With the speed of
modern methods of travel the danger of infection from abroad is greater than
ever before. Vaccination, and re-vaccination, are still the great weapons in
protecting a community, and it is to be hoped that persuasion will result in
far greater numbers of people being vaccinated than was the case in the old
days of compulsory legislation.
The possession of an International Certificate of Vaccination against
Cholera and Smallpox, as approved and adopted by the Fourth World Health
Assembly, is essential for persons travelling to most foreign countries. This
certificate must bear the stamp of the local authority and the signature of
the Vaccinator must be authenticated by the Medical Officer of Health; a
considerable number of such certificates was dealt with in the Department.
ENCEPHALITIS. Four cases of Acute Infective Encephalitis and two cases of
Acute Post-infectious Encephalitis were notified. All six cases were treated
in hospital and there was one death, in a baby aged three weeks.