ENG-1954 — Page 146

PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES

7.6% and has declined steadily from 52% in 1946. During the year intensive propaganda campaigns were organized to encourage the public to submit to inocu- lation and in addition the public health staff have used every method possible to fight the disease.

The Dysenteries. 771 cases were reported this year compared with 947 last year.

Diphtheria. The U.N.I.C.E.F.-assisted campaign against this disease was continued during 1954. Pro- paganda in favour of immunization was carried on in schools, at curative and infant welfare clinics and by road hoarders and posters. 194,230 first injections and 120,892 second injections of toxoid were given; the corresponding figures in 1953 were 195,797 and 154,377 respectively.

However, there were 1,104 cases of diphtheria during the year with 116 deaths as compared with 1,116 notifications and 133 deaths in 1953. Unfortunately cases of diphtheria are frequently brought to hospital in a late stage of the disease and tracheotomies are very frequently performed in the infectious diseases hospitals.

Measles. This disease is present all the year round but most common in the spring. There were 597 cases with 126 deaths as compared with 661 and 50 respectively in 1953. No special preventive measures were taken against the disease.

Poliomyelitis. Cases occurred sporadically through- out the year and there were 39 cases with 9 deaths, as compared with 22 cases and 3 deaths in 1953.

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