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13
DIPHTHERIA.
No notifications of Diphtheria were received during 1950, as
compared with one in 1949, a most satisfactory position which emphasises
the importance of Diphtheria immunisation.
dysentery.
One hundred and seventeen confirmed cases came to the notice
of the Department during the year, as compared with only ten in the
previous year, Eighty-one actually occurred amongst members of a
"Homeless Families Unit" resident at an institution under the control
of the County authorities, The premises concerned were of a type far
from conducive to the adequate control of the persons amongst whom the
disease was rife, but every possible step was taken to ease the situation,
and by the end of the year the incidence of the disease was practically
negligible.
FOOD POISONING.
There was a very considerable increase in the number of cases
of Food Poisoning dealt with during the year. these totalling 122 as
against 6 in 1949. This rise was most unfortunately connected with
outbreaks occurring at local hospitals,, In the first instance 66
notifications were received, and it is most regrettable to record that
four of the patients succumbed to the effects of food poisoning,, The
situation was further aggravated by the fact that all sufferers were of
advanced age. The other hospital outbreak resulted in 34 persons being
notified as suffering from food poisoning, but happily no deaths
resulted in this instance. A summary of all cases occurring during
the year is set out below in similar form as supplied to the Ministry of
Health.
Annual Return of Food Poisoning Notifications
Notifications of Food Poisoning were made up as follows:-
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total
2 74 44 2 122
Outbreaks (other than family outbreaks) due to
identified agents:-
Total Outbreaks: 1 (Agent-Salmonella typhi=murium)
Total Cases: 2
Family Outbreaks due to Identified .agents:-
Total Outbreaks; 1 (Agent - Salmonella typhi-murium)
Total Cases: 2