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26
Dysentery
The incidence of Dysentery in 1962 (369 cases) was slightly higher than in 1961
when there were 334 cases. From the detailed analysis it will be noted that 146 cases
(40%) were under 5 years and 124 cases (34%) of school age. The infecting organism in
nearly all casis is Shigella Sonnei, and the illness is rarely severe or dangerous.
This distribution is due to the fact that the main outbreaks occurred in 2 Islington
schools and one day nursery, although many of the cases in the under 5 year age group
are discovered having had a mild short-term illness when domiciliary enquiry of school
cases is being carried out
It will be seen from the dysentery table on page 27 that arising out of the
enquiries made, 19 dysentery cases were found to be employed as food handlers and 75
were food handlers who were direct or indirect contacts of dysentery cases Although
most of the cases which have occurred recently are not due to food infection food
infected with the dysentery organism could be a potential risk and precautions, there
fore, have to be taken accordingly in such cases As an example of a problem that
arose in this connection, it was found that a school kitchen meals helper was a carrier
of Sonne Dysentery and she was, of course excluded from this work in accordance with
the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960. It was also found that her husband was
a milk roundsman and exclusion measures were taken in his case under the Milk and
Dairies Regulations, 1959.