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II. PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER DISFASES
Heather Conditions
January saw an exceptionally sunny start to the year. February being
dry, dull and rather cold. March continued wintry, but warmed up after the
"Ides" to give on the 28th the sunniest March day in London for 45 years.
April lived up to its 'showery' reputation, with snow on Easter Monday. May
began warm but turned exceedingly cold at the end, with June continuing dull
and below average temperature.
July was cold and dull,August and September being cool and wet. Generally
it was the dullest summer for 10 years. October made some compensation for
the poor summer being mild, dry and sunny. It was the sunniest November on
record at Kew,without fog but very cold. There was no snow in December but it
was the wettest for 31 years.
Infectious Diseases - Notifications
The number of notified cases of infectious disease, corrected for revised
diagnosis and duplicate notifications, was 3072.
Liaison is maintained with general practitioners and hospitals in the area
by a monthly bulletin circulated to them giving information of infectious diseases
occurring in the Borough during the month, the numberofnew claims for sickness
benefit received at local offices of the Ministry of Pensions and National
Insurance in the area, and other relevant information from time to time.
A summary of notifications of infectious diseases received during the year
will be found on page 82 and a list of diseases notifiable in the Borough on
page 81
Anthrax
During the year, a man working in this area as a charcoal grinder died
from Pulmonary Anthrax which he had contracted when handling infected sacks
previously containing imported animal products (kibbled bones, bonemeal .etc.)
The vector in this case was imported from abroad for processing in the manufacture
of animal charcoal. The end product was subsequently placed in the infected
bags for transmission by road to a factory in the Borough.
Investigations into the source of the infection revealed that sacks and
charcoal at the factory were both contaminated with B.Anthracis. Another batch
of the same consignment was found to be stored in the neighbouring borough of
Newham. The contaminated sacks and charcoal were buried in lime, the factory
plant and premises disinfected, and all necessary action taken to prevent any
further spread of infection. No further cases occurred.