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5
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Food Poisoning
4 cases of food poisoning were formally notified. One was
attributed to s.typhi-murium and in the others no causative agent was
identified. Two patients were in the same family and constituted a
"family outbreak".
Another case came to the knowledge of the department through
admission to hospital. This was attributed to s.heidelberg.
In both cases in which the causative agent was known, it was
considered safe for the patients to leave hospital once the acute phase
of the illness was past although they were still carrying the organism.
No further treatment was required as in most cases the carrier state
clears spontaneously.
Poliomyelitis
No cases occurred in Hornsey.
Dysentery
No outbreak occurred but there were 17 isolated cases. A
butcher's assistant who was carrying sonne dysentery was excluded
from work until found to be clear of the infection. Compensation
was paid for loss of earnings.
Typhoid Fever
One case of typhoid fever was notified, a woman of 64 years,
who was admitted to hospital. After recovering she continued to
excrete the organism. Arrangements were, however, made for her
to leave hospital after she had been advised of the importance of
being scrupulous about personal hygiene. Extensive enquiries were
made in vain to ascertain the source of infection.
Measles
The number of notified cases was 481, three patients being
aged between 15 and 24 years and 2 being over 25 years. Nine
cases were treated in hospital; 2 complicated by pneumonia, and one by
bronchitis. A girl of 11 years suffered from severe post measles
encephalomyelitis and peripheral neuropathy. She was later discharged
to an address outside the Borough.