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Typhoid.
Although no cases of typhoid fever were officially notified during the year information
was received from the Medical Officer of Health of the City of Westminster that a Hammersmith
resident had been admitted to a Westminster hospital and, upon investigation, found to be suffering
from typhoid fever, organisms of the Salmonella Typhi group having been isolated. The usual
enquiries were instituted. The family concerned had recently spent six weeks in Greece. Specimens
were taken from the remaining members of the family but all proved negative upon examination.
The only close contacts of the family were a brother and his wife, the Medical Officer of
Health of their area was informed and the necessary precautions taken. There was no further
spread of the disease.
Paratyphoid.
No cases of paratyphoid fever occurred in the district, although several notifications of
close contacts of this disease were received from various local authorities. The usual precautions
were taken but fortunately all specimens proved negative.
Smallpox.
There were no confirmed cases of smallpox in the Borough during the year nor indeed in
England. One suspected case was found on examination to be suffering from septicaemia, probably
meningococcal in origin.
During the year 35 possible contacts were placed under surveillance including 4 cases in
category (b) i.e. cases which came from any small-pox-infected local area wherever it might be.
All cases remained free from infection during the ensuing critical fourteen days.
Immunisation and Vaccination.
A special immunisation clinic is held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month
at St. Dunstan's School Treatment Centre, St. Dunstan's Road, W.6, at which adults referred from
hospitals may complete anti-tetanus immunisation courses. In 1965, 343 adults were immunised
at this clinic.
International Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation.
Arrangements continued for the Medical Officer of Health to authenticate doctors' signatures
on certificates of vaccination and inoculation, as required by IVernational Sanitary Regulations,
for those who wished to travel abroad.
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