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NON-NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.
Weil's Disease.
Leptospirosis Ictero-Haemorrhagica or Weil's Disease is
commonly due to infection by an organism carried and excreted
by rats. Although not a notifiable disease, general practitioners
and hospitals almost invariably inform the Medical Officer of
Health on diagnosing this condition in any of their patients.
Investigation is then carried out to ascertain whether the
patient's home or place of work is infested with rats, so that
the necessary measures may be taken to eradicate them.
In September, 1954, the death from this disease of a male
patient was notified by a hospital in the Borough. Enquiries
did not reveal any possible local source of infection, but the
patient was stated to have bathed in the River Thames at a
place in Gloucestershire a few days before the onset of the illness.
The Medical Officer of Health for the area concerned was
accordingly notified.