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infected. Between the dates of arrival in this country and their
admission to hospital, neither of the patients had been in contact
with anyone outside their homes. Investigation by the Department
was, therefore, restricted to the laboratory examination of
faecal specimens from family and home contacts of the patients.
No further cases came to light and in due course the patients
were discharged from hospital as recovered and free from
infection.
The one case of paratyphoid fever reported during the year was
also an immigrant who had been in this country for the past three
years. Some difficulty was experienced before a definite diagnosis
of paratyphoid fever was decided on as the patient had been
admitted to hospital with a haemorrhage and initial bacteriological
examination indicated an unidentified Salmonella organism. This
patient also recovered and was discharged from hospital. The
examination of family and home contacts proved negative.
International Certificates of Vaccination against Smallpox
Persons travelling abroad to certain specified countries are
required to possess a certificate of vaccination or inoculation bearing
the authenticating stamp of the local authority of the area in
which they were vaccinated. During 1969, 9,179 certificates were
endorsed on request, and the signature on the certificate was verified
in each case as being that of a registered medical practitioner,
practising in Wandsworth.
Occasional requests are made by persons travelling abroad for
a certificate to the effect that no recent cases of smallpox have
occurred in the borough. Certificates in this form are accepted by
certain countries from persons who do not wish to be vaccinated.
Only one such certificate was issued by the department in 1969.
Under the Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations, 1966, and the
Public Health (Ships) Regulations, 1966, persons arriving in this
country from abroad who are not in possession of a valid international
certificate of vaccination against smallpox must be placed
under surveillance for a specific period. Forty-seven such persons
who were travelling to addresses in the borough were kept under
observation.
Bacteriological examinations
Bacteriological examination of stools and other specimens taken
in connection with food poisoning and for infectious diseases was
carried out by the joint Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory,
St. George's Hospital, Tooting, and 2,299 specimens, made
up as follows, were examined during the year.
Stool and urine 2,288
Nose and throat swabs 11
Bacteriological examinations in connection with routine food
sampling were carried out at the Public Health Laboratory at
County Hall.