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22
One other large outbreak occurred in a College and
was attributed to a septic finger of one of the food handlers.
Altogether 39 cases were ascertained of which 20 were notified.
Milk from a churn was the common item of food.
In the two remaining outbreaks it was not possible
to determine bacteriologically the agent causing the outbreak.
Ham purchased from a shop, the name and address of which could
not be traced, was the suspected cause of illness of five cases
in one family, and another family outbreak of four cases was
attributed to tinned carrots.
Of the 15 single cases it will be seen that 12 were
due to Salmonella Typhimurium and 1 to Salmonella Bredency. As
a general rule in only about sixty per cent, of food poisoning
outbreaks is the cause established and it is satisfactory to
note that in 3 out of 5 outbreaks and 13 out of 15 single cases
in Hampstead the cause was identified.
The majority of the cases appear to have been mild
and the patients made a quick recovery. There were no deaths.
Food Poisoning Notifications (Corrected) received during 1955
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total
12 9 25 10 56
Outbreaks due to Identified Agents
Total Outbreaks: 3 Total Cases: 32.
Outbreaks due to: B. Welchii; Coliform Bacilli; C1. Welchii.
Outbreaks of Undiscovered Cause
Total Outbreaks: 2. Total Cases 9.
Single Cases
Agent Identified: 13. Unknown Cause: 2. Total Cases: 15.
Agent Identified: Salmonella Typhimurium - 12 cases.
Bredency - 1 case.