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25
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever
Four cases of Typhoid and two of Paratyphoid Fever were confirmed during the year,
The first case, a girl aged 10 years, was admitted to hospital with suspected
Meningitis and was subsequently diagnosed as suffering from Typhoid Fever, The source
of infection, although not definitely ascertained, was probably shellfish.
The second case, a girl aged 3 years, was admitted to hospital with suspected
Dysentery, and was subsequently found to be suffering from Typhoid Fever This child
had returned from Cyprus some 2 months prior to onset and it was considered that the
source of infection was almost certainly there Three contacts were employed as food
handlers and a fourth was employed in a hospital, all in other Boroughs. The Medical
Officers of Health of the Boroughs concerned were kept fully informed until
bacteriological clearance was obtained.
A female aged 17 years was admitted to hospital with suspected typhoid fever, which
was confirmed. This patient had returned from Italy a few days prior to onset of
symptoms. Two of the contacts were food handlers; one employed in another Borough and
the other contact employed as a Food Mixing Machine Operator with Food Producers in the
Borough. By arrangement he was temporarily put on other work until bacteriologically
cleared.
Information was received of, a male, aged 33 years, who was admitted to hospital and
found to be suffering from Typhoid Fever. The patient and family had been on holiday in
Italy and returned to England by sea and rail a week prior to onset of symptoms The
usual domiciliary enquiries were carried out and routine bacteriological investigations
of contacts proved negative. Two family contacts were found to be employed as food
handlers in another Borough and the Medical Officer of Health concerned was kept
informed. The patient was also a food handler - a Baker - working in another Borough
and the Medical Officer of Health of that Borough was duly informed
Finally, a girl aged 4 years was admitted to hospital with suspected Typhoid Fever
and was subsequently found to be suffering from Paratyphoid ""B" Fever (phage type
"Dundee"). The patient and family had been on holiday in Cyprus and returned to England
by sea and rail, via Venice, some twoweeks previously Routine bacteriological
investigations showed that the mother of the patient was a positive carrier of
paratyphoid and she was also admitted to hospital for treatment. Bacteriological results
of other family and residential contacts were negative One family contact was found to
be employed as a food handler in another Borough and the Medical Officer of Health
concerned was kept informed.
Information was received of a ship arriving at Southampton from South Africa at the
end of July. A tourist class steward was admitted to hospital the next day and was found
to be suffering from Typhoid Fever He was reported to have been ill for at least 5 days
(possibly up to 21 days) before arrival at Southampton, but was on duty. Five contacts
of this case were reported proceeding to addresses in Islington Domiciliary enquiries
were made, and bacteriological specimens examined from four of these contacts were found
to be negative. The other contact, who was a crew member, returned to the ship before he
could be interviewed The Port Medical Officer of Health, Southampton Docks, was informed.
Information was received of a child who was admitted to an L C.C Children" s Home in
another Borough and was later removed to a hospital where it was confirmed she was
suffering from Typhoid Fever. Seven contacts resident in Islington were reported
Domiciliary enquiries were made and routine bacteriological examinations were all
negative, except for the aunt of the case who was discovered to be a carrier of Flexner
1B Dysentery