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SECTION E
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
The total number of corrected notifications of Infectious diseases for
1963 was 1125 as compared with 418 for the previous year
This increase was mainly due to the rise in the number of cases of
measles notified.
ANTHRAX,
During the year a case of malignant pustule (cutaneous anthrax) occurred
in a male dockside worker employed on a wharf handling general merchandise
which included a variety of imported animal products - dried bones, hides,
hooves and horns and bone meal A few days after handling bagged bone meal
he developed a lesion on the right side of his neck, thought to be Erysipelas.
In hospital anthrax was diagnosed, he became a very sick man but eventually
made a complete recovery.
It has long been considered that these animal products from certain
countries were suspect in this respect Imports of these commodities are
sporadic. It was ascertained that over a period of six months this particular
wharf handled the cargoes from eleven ships from five countries, East Africa,
India, Lebanon, Pakistan and Australia Some of the material from the last
named was "sterilized bone flour". Material from the other countries was
highly suspect. The breakdown and despatch of cargoes was quite haphazard
and depended on sales by the importers - some was even advertised for sale in
bulk,in a national gardening paper. With the co-operation of the Public Health
Laboratory Service samples were taken of all cargoes and wharf sweepings over
a period, but with negative result.
DIPHTHERIA.
There was no confirmed case of diphtheria in the Borough during the year.
DYSENTERY.
The total of confirmed cases of dysentery was 63. of which number43 were
children of five years and under. The majority of cases were isolated outbreaks
not connected. Only in a minority of cases was the source discovered.
FOOD POISONING.
28 confirmed individual cases were notified during the year as compared
with the total of 17 for 1962. There were no outbreaks.
HANSEN"S DISEASE.
The case reported last year, admitted to the Jordan Hospital, was discharged
home in June,
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