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There were forty-seven cases ascertained at two day nurseries. The usual pattern
in these day nurseries is that an initial case develops symptoms, and through routine
control, several others (usually symptomless carriers) are discovered. All cases and
carriers are excluded and specimen examination is then commenced until three clear
rounds are obtained from those remaining in the nursery.
Infective illness at a school
In early December, 1965, information was received from the Head Teacher of a
girls' school in the Highbury area that several pupils and teachers were absent, and
also that many of the pupils who attended school that day had to be sent home as they
complained of sickness, headache, abdominal pains, etc.
During the first few days of this outbreak of sickness, faecal specimens were
obtained from 19 pupils and 3 staff, all of which proved negative. Also, a water
examination revealed no abnormality, and the general condition of the school and
kitchen were satisfactory.
A survey was carried out by the department and it was ascertained that a total
of 196 persons were affected - 5 staff, 169 pupils and 22 family contacts of the
pupils. The symptoms fell mainly under ten headings and, of these, the greater
majority (78%)suffered from one or more of the following - vomiting, diarrhoea,
nausea and abdominal pain. The period of illness varied from a few hours to 21 days,
the average being 3 days.
There were no complications and all patients made a complete recovery.
Although no organisms were cultured, it was thought that the epidemic was
probably caused by a virus, and features of the illness were similar to previously
reported outbreaks of epidemic vomiting.
It was interesting to note that subsequent to this outbreak in Islington there
were press reports of similar outbreaks in other parts of the country which appeared
to be confined to children and with symptoms of sore throats, headaches and
muscular pains.

The notification rate of all forms of tuberculosis was 0.83 per 1,000 as against
0.34 for the whole country.