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INCIDENCE OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASE. The number of cases notified during the year
is shown in fable VI and the trend of infectious diseases during the last 20 years in
Table VII.
SMALLPOX. No case of smallpox occurred in the Borough during 1959. Persons
arriving in the Borough from parts of the world where smallpox is prevalent, are
kept under observation till any chance of their developing the disease is over.
According to the returns 759 children under the age of one year were vaccinated
in 1959 as compared with 832 in 1958. Modern travel is such that the risk of importing
smallpox is ever present.
SCARLET FEVER. This disease was much more prevalent - 235 as compared with 62
in the previous year. This increase was general throughout the country but fortunately
here, the disease continued to be mild in character.
DIPHTHERIA. The Borough's freedom from diphtheria was maintained during the
year. The number of children under the age of one year who were immunised during 1959
was 897 as compared with 900 in 1958.
ERYSIPELAS. The number of notifications was 7 but no death was due to this
disease.
PNEUMONIA. Notifications of pneumonia were 47 as compared with 45 in 1958.
Of the total pneumonia deaths 87 per cent. occurred at age 65 and over.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION. Three cases were notified during the year and one,
aged 67 years, died.
ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS. One notification was received and the patient made a
good recovery.
POST-INFECTIVE ENCEPHALITIS. Encephalitis is known to occur as a complication
of other infectious diseases, but no such case was notified during 1959.
POLIOMYELITIS. Though several patients were admitted to hospital as suspected
poliomyelitis, in only one case was the diagnosis confirmed. The patient died soon
after admission but laboratory investigation revealed poliomyelitis virus, type I.
Inoculation against poliomyelitis was continued during the year, and 8,213
children, 717 adolescents and 648 expectant mothers were given two injections of
vaccine. During the year third injections were given to 12,049 children, 549 expectant
mothers and 416 others. Experience has shown that reactions, local or general, to
these inoculations are comparatively rate.
TYPHOID FEVER. No case of typhoid fever was notified during the year.
PARATYPHOID FEVER. No notification was received during the year.
DYSENTERY. This disease shows great variations in prevalence from year to year
and from place to place. During the year 42 cases were notified, as compared with 15
in 1958.
The infection in all cases was of the Sonne type and the illness was mild in
practically every case. The mildness of the illness is such that medical advice is
not always sought, and unless the disease is kept constantly in mind, cases are likely
to be missed.
TUBERCULOSIS. During the year 53 notifications of pulmonary tuberculosis, and
3 notifications of non-pulmonary tuberculosis were received. Persons continue to be
certified as dying from tuberculosis who have not been notified during life, but it
is hoped that with the improved facilities for diagnosis and treatment now available,
any reluctance to seek investigation and treatment will disappear.