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The patient was born in India but had lived permanently in this country since 1960,
although he had been on holiday in Spain four months prior to his admission to hospital.
All known contacts were traced and where necessary Medical Officers of Health of
the areas concerned were informed. Those contacts in this borough were kept under
observation in addition to submitting specimens, the results of which were negative.
A local restaurant was also fully investigated as the patient had eaten a meal there
prior to the onset of his illness, but because of the period of time that had elapsed it was not
possible to submit any food from the meal for analysis. However, as shell fish were the main
items on the menu and since they are a suitable vehicle for the spread of this disease samples
were obtained for analysis and in addition all members of the staff submitted specimens for
bacteriological examination. The results were negative.
Following the patient's discharge from hospital he was kept under observation by
this Department.
Tuberculosis
During the year 63 new cases of tuberculosis were notified of which 53 were
respiratory and 10 were non-respiratory and 14 other cases of persons moving into this
borough were reported, mainly by other Borough Councils.
In addition to the 63 new cases on the register, there were those who were removed
from the register because they had moved out of the borough, died, been cured or moved
without trace, and the final figures in the register at the end of the year were as follows:—
Respiratory
Non-respiratory
Male
Female
Male
Female
Total
378 195 24 50 647
Every effort has been made by health visitors to visit all newly notified cases (and
those transferred to or changing address in the borough) with the object of tracing the
source, preventing the spread and removing the conditions favourable to infection.
Particular attention was given to the home conditions in addition to the dissemination of
advice to prevent the transmission of infection to contacts.
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATES
In order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, certain countries require that
visitors should be vaccinated or inoculated against specific diseases.
International certificates have been prescribed for smallpox, cholera and yellow
fever. When completed by a medical practitioner, the certificate must be authenticated by
the Medical Officer of Health.
During the year 13,773 of these certificates were authenticated. In addition 9 special
certificates were issued to travellers who refused vaccination on medical or religious
grounds.
Smallpox
Information was received during the year from port authorities of 149 persons
intending to stay in the borough and who could not produce valid certificates of vaccination
after leaving countries which were declared local infected endemic areas. Of these 69 were
kept under observation for the surveillance period and remained quite well and 6 were
found to have moved to other areas of which the Medical Officers of Health were notified.