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An outbreak of food poisoning due to Salmonella enteritidis occurred amongst delegates to an
educational course, which had to be abandoned. The case came to light a week after the onset by
which time the 33 members who attended the course had dispersed. In all, 24 firms were contacted in
order to reach the 33 persons at risk, and 19 Health Departments throughout the country were
involved in the follow-up procedures. At the premises concerned two food handlers and two resident
members of the staff were found to be excreting the organism. No food samples were available but
the investigation pointed to cold chicken as being the likely vehicle of infection. It was thought to
have been infected prior to roasting and the subsequent short cooking period had been insufficient
to kill the bacteria present. Appropriate advice was given to the management.
Following notification of a child suffering from Sal. typhimurium, enquiries disclosed that the
patient attended a private day nursery where other children were also absent on account of illness.
Extensive enquiries at local hospitals revealed that some children from the nursery had recently been
admitted. Faecal specimens were obtained from 91 children and 11 members of the staff; of these
17 children and one staff member (a staff nurse) were found to be excreting the organism. The staff
member was not unwell but she had been engaged in food handling and immediate action was taken
to exclude her from work.
In all, some 200 specimens were bacteriologically examined before the conclusion of the
investigation.
It appeared likely that the combination of a staff member who handled food being a carrier of the
organism, and the community atmosphere in which the children spent their day, helped in the spread
of infection. Protective measures were introduced to prevent any further spread of infection.
Two outbreaks occurred at licensed premises on the same day, but at different functions. The
common food was turkey and this was the suspected vehicle of the Sal. typhimurium organism
isolated. None of the food remained at the time of investigation but examination of a prepared bird
of a similar size to that consumed at the functions, showed it to have been insufficiently cooked.
Typhoid Fever
Several investigations were conducted during the year in connection with persons who had been
confirmed cases, or contacts of cases, typhoid fever.
A mother and two of her children, one a new born baby, were all suffering from typhoid fever, but
each was in a different hospital. Against medical advice the mother discharged herself and returned
home. The husband owned two restaurants where his wife sometimes assisted in the kitchen. She
was warned that in no circumstances might she work in her husband's restaurants. She proved to be
a co-operative patient, but at the close of the year was still a carrier of the disease.
A second investigation related to one of a party of 24 persons from overseas who disembarked in
the United Kingdom in October. There then followed a short tour of the continent during which time
one of the party became unwell. On return to London he was admitted to hospital and typhoid fever
was diagnosed. The patient was in hospital for some four months where he eventually died. Whilst
the cause of death was not directly the outcome of the typhoid infection, it was understood to be a
contributory factor.
A waiter at a Westminster restaurant was admitted to hospital with typhoid shortly after returning
from abroad. Some 50 staff members were kept under surveillance, and all submitted specimens.
The respective local authorities and medical practitioners were kept informed of the progress of the
case. The patient made an uneventful recovery.
Unsound or Unsaleable Food—Examination and Disposal
Under Section 72(1) of the Public Health Act 1936 a local authority may undertake the removal of
trade refuse from premises within their district and having so undertaken shall, at the request of the
occupier, remove such trade refuse. Westminster has entered into such an undertaking.
Schedule II (Part II (7)) of the Local Government Act, 1963, states that any person who had in his
possession or under his control any article of food which is unsound, unwholesome or unfit for
human consumption, may, by notice to the local authority, specifying and identifying the article,
request its removal as if it were trade refuse.