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*This man had been suffering from a necrotising ulcerative colitis for some time and it is not certain
how far the food poisoning contributed to his death.
The above outbreak of food poisoning related to an Islington 'Home for the Retired.'
As a result of detailed investigation it was ascertained that boned and rolled pork belly had been
delivered to the Home on 10th August and cooked at about 10.00 a.m. the same day. After cooking,
the pork was cooled and stored in refrigerator over night. On the following morning, 11th August, it
was taken out of refrigerator, sliced and re-heated prior to being served at 12.30 p.m.
Final reports showed that 32 people were affected with an interval from ingestion to onset of 12
hours onwards. The main symptoms included diarrhoea and abdominal pains.
Laboratory investigations showed that, of 25 cases examined, 11 proved positive for Clostridium
welchii a common cause of food poisoning in communal feeding establishments where meat has been
cooked, allowed to cool slowly and then re-heated. All 5 of the food handlers submitted specimens
which were negative.
In consequence of this outbreak, advice was given to the catering staffs of Council
establishments drawing attention to the dangers of re-heating food as described above.
SMALLPOX
Most recipients of this Report will, no doubt, be aware of the four cases of smallpox in London
which occurred during March/April 1973, and which, subsequently, resulted in the tragic deaths of a
young married couple.
In connection with this, information was received in the department on the evening of 10th April
concerning an Islington male resident aged 18 years employed as a van boy, transporting hospital
laundry, who had handled a bag containing soiled linen of the two deceased persons, thus becoming a
close contact. He had been vaccinated on 5th April.
The Deputy Medical Officer of Health visited the home of this contact the following morning, i.e.
11th April, obtained particulars of all family and other contacts and arranged for vaccination of all
concerned. At the same time, a Notice was served requesting the boy involved to remain away from
employment and avoid mixing with people as far as possible until the 20th April 1973, to which he
acceded, and he stayed indoors at home during this period.
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