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There were 3 other references for typhoid fever. One concerned a carrier living in
another borough but working in a food factory in Islington. Investigations were carried
out at the factory and the carrier subsequently left his employment.
The other 2 references were for contacts with typhoid cases with satisfactory
conclusions.
Paratyphoid Fever
(a) A 31 year old Islington housewife who was an in-patient at a maternity home for a
period in April, 1967, had been subsequently notified as suffering from paratyphoid *B'
fever. This patient had not been abroad previously and there was no apparent source of
infection. Domiciliary enquiries were made, and bacteriological examinations of faecal
and urine specimens of the patient since her discharge from hospital, and of her husband
who had similar symptoms, all proved negative. Their medical practitioner was informed.
(b) A six year old male child of West Indian origin, residing in the N. 19. area of
Islington, became ill in August 1967, and was admitted to an Isolation Hospital suffering
from gastro enteritis; diarrhoea was slight but fever much more in evidence. Subsequently,
Salmonella paratyphi 'B' was isolated from the stool, B.A.0.R. strain. The usual domiciliary
enquiries were carried out. There were two other children in this family, a boy 3& years and
a girl 4& years. The two elder children attended school in the borough, whilst the youngest
was minded locally. As a result of examination of faecal specimens, the remainder of the
family was also admitted to Coppetts Wood Hospital, the parents suffering from enteric
fever and all excreting organisms except the youngest child. A specimen from this child
examined at the Hospital showed pqsitive results. Other contacts were investigated and it
was ascertained that the child minder was also positive; she was treated at home. All medical
practitioners and medical officers of health of other boroughs concerned, were notified.
The source of infection was indefinite although the vehicle was not thought to be food. The
family arrived in this country from the West Indies some two years ago and all the children
were born overseas.
(c) A 19 years old male Islington resident who was admitted to hospital in September 1967, was
subsequently confirmed as suffering from paratyphoid 'A' fever. He had recently been on
holiday and may have contracted this infection in Turkey. Domiciliary enquiries were carried
out, and the medical practitioners informed.
(d) There was one other reference for paratyphoid 'A' fever. This concerned the mother and
father of the case, who lived in another borough, but who owned a butcher's shop in Islington.
Dysentery
There were four hundred and sixty-one cases notified and 'coming to knowledge' during
the year. Of these, three hundred and seventy-five proved positive, whilst eighty-six were
clinical cases with negative stools. Roughly one-third of the positive cases occurred in
minor outbreaks at three schools and four day nurseries in the borough.
Epidemic Vomiting.
Information was received in February 1967, of an outbreak of suspected food poisoning
at a large staff canteen dining club in the borough. This was reported to have occurred
after the mid-day meal the previous day, which included cauliflower cheese, cold roast
beef, salad and braised liver.
Three thousand staff used this canteen, and it was ascertained that some forty-three
reported symptoms which included vomiting and nausea, and some with diarrhoea. The average
interval between ingestion of the suspected food and onset of the symptoms appeared to be
ten to twelve hours.
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