Introduction
Epidemics of measles often occur in South Africa. In their general pattern they resemble those in Europe and North America. However, outbreaks with unusual features have been noted in 3 different situations, and these perhaps merit brief mention at this meeting.The first affected the population of the lonely island of Tristan da Cunha in 1959. I am grateful to Dr. Winter who went to the island last March to supervise the administration of oral live poliovirus vaccine. This account of the epidemic was given by Dr. R. F. Masters, Medical Officer on the island. A member of the crew of a fishing ship was landed on the island for treatment. The medical officer immediately diagnosed his illness as measles and arranged for his stringent isolation, but it was too late. Five individuals had helped to take him to the doctor. Three weeks later they were ill, and soon