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These were subsequently diagnosed as chicken pox;
The remaining two references concerned;-
(1) A passenger who travelled from Bombay to Frankfurt on Thursday, 23rd March, 1967,
by Air India, was subsequently found to be suffering from modified smallpox. The patient, a
man, aged 48, who was vaccinated in November, 1966, and again in February, 1967, was in
possible contact with smallpox in India at some time during the first ten days of March.
After arrival at Frankfurt, he proceeded three hours later by Lufthansa to Hanover. Two
pustules developed on the lips. A provisional diagnosis of smallpox was made on 25th March
by electron-microscopy. Confirmation by positive egg culture was received on 28th March,
1967.
It was understood that the rash was not evident while the patient was on the Air India
Flight but all passengers on that flight were regarded as exposed to possible risk of
smallpox infection. Twenty-four passengers were disembarked with destinations in the United
Kingdom. All were in possession of valid certificates of vaccination against smallpox and
all were handed yellow warning cards.
As the addresses to which these passengers were going were not known at the time, press
and broadcast announcements were made advising any passenger who was on this flight to
consult a doctor without delay.
Information was requested from local medical practitioners of these passengers who
may have reported to their doctor.
Only one contact was reported residing in Islington. He was an adult male who travelled
on the Lufthansa flight only. He was kept under surveillance for the routine period and his
medical practitioner informed.
(2) An eighteen month old Nigerian child was admitted to hospital on 11th May, 1967,
and was thought to be suffering from vaccinia, although the possibility of smallpox could
not be ruled out until the results of bacteriological tests were available.
The child had not been vaccinated and, as he had been daily minded at several addresses
in the previous few weeks, it was necessary to visit these in an attempt to ascertain the
source of the infection.
Subsequently it was bacteriologically confirmed that this was a case of vaccinia.
Enquiries suggested that the infection was through contact with a recently vaccinated
person 12 days prior to onset of symptoms although this was not definitely established.
Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation - Authentication - Ministry of Health Circular 60
Applications for authentication dealt with by the Medical Officer of Health numbered
3,047 as aginst 9,002 for the previous year. The applications comprised requests for
authentication of International Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation against smallpox
yellow fever, cholera etc.. and constituted a substantial item of work. The large decrease
is accounted for by the fact that in 1966 many continental countries required evidence of
current vaccination from British travellers consequent upon an outbreak of variola minor in
the Midlands.
Food Poisoning
Number of Notifications Received
1947 ... 8 1953 ... 270 1959 ... 196 1965 ... 115
1948 ... 13 1954 ... 137 1960 ... 206 1966 ... 101
1949 ... 62 1955 ... 315 1961 ... 148 1967 ... 90
1950 ... 109 1956 ... 174 1962 ... 112
1951 ... 158 1957 ... 160 1963 ... 134
1952 ... 84 1958 ... 230 1964 ... 131
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