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18
There was only one outbreak during the year to be reported to the Ministry of
Health in accordance with Memo. 188/Med. of the Ministry of Health.
In accordance with Circular 2/50 of the Ministry of Health, the table summarising
this outbreak is as follows:-
Date No. of No. of No. of No. of Foods involved and
Notifi- persons cases deaths Organisms responsible
cations served reported
13.5.64 - 75 13 - Brisket of Beef
Q. Welchii
Outbreak Report
Information was received in aid-May of thirteen cases occurring amongst staff and
residents at a Jewish Old People's Home.
Onset of symptoms commenced approximately 14 hours after consumption of Brisket
of Beef. This had he en purchased the previous day, boiled for two hours, allowed to
cool for one hour and placed in a refrigerator until due to be served.
Samples of Brisket of Beef and most of the faecal specimens froa staff and
residents examined showed Heat Resistant Cl. Welchii present.
The Medical Officer of Health of the area in which the meat was purchased, was
informed and as a result of his investigations the butcher's premises, staff, food
preparation and general hygiene were found to be satisfactory.
A report was sent to the Jewish Board of Guardians giving advice on the
preparation and cooling of food and recommendations of the Public Health Inspector.
Lead Poisoning
Information was received from the Divisional Medical Officer, London County
Council, Health Division III, of a female child who had been admitted to the Hospital
for Sick Children because of a raised lead blood level.
This case had been previously referred from this Hospital in 1959.
A domiciliary visit was carried out by a Senior Public Health Inspector, but he
could find no toys of a lead nature, nor any other articles with a lead content,
among the child's possessions. He could find no source of lead in the household, but
three samples of paint from her tricycle, a window frame and railings near the front
door were taken and these were sent to the Public Analyst. His report stated that
each of the samples contained only traces of lead, indicating that they were not
derived from a lead-based paint.
This was the only reference for lead poisoning received during 1964.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever
There were three confirmed cases of Typhoid Fever in the borough during the
year.