§ 97. Mr. A. Edward Daviesasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of an outbreak of anterior poliomyelitis, infantile paralysis, among the men of the Sixth Infantry Brigade Headquarters, 295W Signals Section, British S.E.A.C.; how many men are affected; what is the cause of the outbreak; and what action is being taken in respect of same.
Mr. Bellenģer:I am aware of an outbreak of infantile paralysis in Singapore. Up to 26th March, 1946, 17 Army cases with six deaths had been notified, but I cannot say how many cases occurred in the particular unit mentioned. Thirty-three cases with six deaths occurred in the other Services.
The outbreak was first reported in a signal dated 20th February. A research epidemiologist nominated by the Medical Research Council left by air on 2nd March to investigate the outbreak and, in preliminary reports dated 13th and 19th March gave his opinion that the outbreak had passed its peak and that all possible measures were being taken to prevent a recrudescence. The outbreak has been attributed to the presence of carriers of the virus in surroundings where, owing to Japanese neglect, unsanitary conditions favoured the spread of the disease. The incidence was mainly among young Chinese children. Cases occurring among Service personnel are believed to have originated from contact with carriers or cases among the civilian population.