ENG-1962 — Page 189

HEALTH

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Poliomyelitis. Morbidity returns were the highest ever recorded, being some 101 higher than the previous maximum of 262 notified in 1958. Most of the cases occurred, as usual, in the summer. The case fatality rate was 14.3 per cent. A series of virus excreter surveys was made at intervals during the year, to obtain a picture of the enterovirus position at varying times. This in- formation, plotted in graph form, was used in planning an oral poliomyelitis mass vaccination campaign to be held early in 1963. The graph has indicated the optimal time for such a pro- gramme. In addition a small investigation was performed with the co-operation of other interested bodies into the results of feeding oral trivalent vaccine in a group of young children. Con- version rates were satisfactorily high and averaged 96 per cent.

The Dysenteries. In recent years there has been a gradual in- crease, associated with the increasing numbers of the population at risk, in both amoebiasis and bacillary dysentery, but the mor- tality continues to remain low.

Measles. This infection is most prevalent during the cooler months and analysis shows a tendency toward a regular interval of 16-18 months between peaks of incidence. The incidence re- mained low after the extensive epidemic early in 1961, until the last quarter of 1962 when an appreciable increase was observed. The number of deaths, mainly due to bronchopneumonia, remained high, reflecting the incomplete notification of this disease. Generally speaking, only complicated cases are notified and the majority of milder cases pass unnoticed or are treated by herbal medicines.

The fatality rate for cerebrospinal meningitis was 70 per cent although the total notifications were much as before. There was a slight increase in whooping cough, and in notifications of ophthalmia neonatonum. Two fatal cases of puerperal fever were recorded, these being associated with deliveries at home by unqualified midwives.

HEALTH SERVICES

Port Health. The port health service is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the International Sanitary Regulations, as em- bodied in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance. It is also responsible for the correlation and dissemination of epidemiological information on communicable notifiable diseases,