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22
Typhoid—Food Handler
On 22nd November, 1962, I was informed by the Medical Officer of Health
for Wembley that he had been notified by the Medical Officer of Health for
Plymouth that a resident in that town, who was a student and had been living in
Wembley, was suffering from typhoid. The student was an apprentice in an
engineering firm in this Borough and there had been no absences for intestinal
troubles during the previous two months. Upon further enquiries being made it
was found that the man with whom the student was lodging was a manager in a food
store in this Borough. By arrangement with his employers this man was relieved
of his duties and agreed to consult his doctor. Specimens submitted by him and
his wife were positive. Treatment was given and further specimens taken. The
manager who had produced a negative specimen and who promised to limit his
personal handling of food and obey strict instructions over his personal hygiene,
was allowed to return to work on 7th December, 1962. Further specimens were
taken and on 6th April, 1963, a specimen showed that the manager was excreting
Salmonella Typhi. He was immediately taken off his duties and a certificate under
the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations, 1953, was served upon him
which incorporated a notice under the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1959, informing him of the powers of the Council to compensate him for any
financial loss suffered as a result of complying with the Notice.
On 29th May, 1963, I was informed that three negative specimens had been
obtained and the manager was allowed to return to work. No claim for compensation
was received as the employers treated him as being on sick leave.
I am grateful to the Medical Officer of Health for Wembley for his help and
co-operation in this long drawn out case.
Typhoid—Zermatt
On 11th March, 1963, I was informed that a Nursing Sister in a hospital in
the Borough had been isolated as she was suffering from Typhoid Fever. She was
removed to an Isolation Hospital later in the day. It appeared that the patient
had been on holiday with a party at Zermatt, Switzerland. The agents who
arranged the trip were immediately contacted and particulars obtained of all other
members of the party who were staying in the same hotel as the patient. A list
of contacts was prepared and the Medical Officers of Health of the areas in which
their home addresses were situate were notified. The Ministry of Health was
notified and close contact was kept with them throughout the spread of infection.
There were many cases of Typhoid during the outbreak, both in this country
and abroad and considerable publicity was given to the matter both by Press and
Radio. All doctors in the Borough, together with food factories were notified of
the position as requested by the Ministry.
I am pleased to say that although the Sister's illness was severe she was only
kept in Isolation Hospital for a month.
Paratyphoid B—Case "A"
On 1st May, 1963, I received information from the Medical Officer of Health
of Brentford and Chiswick that a resident in that Borough employed by a large
organisation in Hammersmith, was suffering from Paratyphoid B.
The date of onset was given as 19th April, 1963, and he was removed to an
Isolation Hospital on 29th April, 1963. There were no other cases of illness in
the family but he did eat at the works canteen.
Later in the day a message was received from the Borough of Wembley that
a resident in the Borough was also suffering from Paratyphoid B. Date of onset
was given as 22nd April, 1963, and the patient worked for the same organisation
and took meals in the canteen.