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6
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND FOOD POISONING
The total number of cases of infectious disease notified was slightly less
than in the previous year although the incidence of measles was again high.
Diphtheria
It is satisfying to record that there were only 3 cases of diphtheria
notified during the year (about 1 per cent of the number in pre-war years)
and there were no deaths.
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough notifications numbered 67, a decrease on previous
years. There was unfortunately one death and it is not possible to estimate
the amount of ill-health in later years resulting from this disease, which
must still be regarded as one of the major diseases of infancy.
Poliomyelitis
Five cases of poliomyelitis were notified and in 2 cases the patient died.
The epidemic which affected the county was less serious than that of 1947
when 20 cases were notified in Deptford.
Weils Disease
A case of Weils disease occurred in which the patient died. The man
was employed as a sewer worker and examinations showed, by blood
agglutination tests, that 3 out of 18 other sewer workers in Deptford had
at some time suffered from this disease.
Food Poisoning
During the year 29 cases of food poisoning were notified. Two outbreaks
were investigated, both occurring in factory canteens, and in both
cases investigations started as a result of communication from the
management. In one outbreak 99 persons were affected and in the other
32 persons were affected. In all cases the persons were ill for only a few
hours, they did not consult their own doctors and were not notified as
suffering from food poisoning.
Investigation did not establish the organisms responsible and although
in both outbreaks it appeared likely that the food responsible was meat
cooked on the day prior to consumption no firm conclusions could be
reached from bacteriological investigation.
Coagulase positive stephylococci were obtained from swabs from three
out of the kitchen staff's and medical treatment was obtained in these cases.
Improvements in the hygiene of food preparation was advised and there
have been no subsequent outbreaks.
Of the notified individual cases 4 were found to be due to Salmonella
typhi-murium but the origin of the organisms could not be ascertained
with certainty. In a number of the cases notification was received so late
that investigation was abortive and it would appear that there are still
larger numbers who, because the symptoms are so mild, do not consult
their doctors and are consequently not notified.