View report page

29
Two confirmed cases of typhoid fever occurred in young girls
aged 15 months and two years. On bacteriological examination
of the patients' families, the parents in each case were found to
be carriers and, as they were immigrants to this country, were
deemed to have been infected before arrival. Both patients made
a full recovery and were discharged from hospital.
The investigation of these cases necessitated bacteriological
examination of 109 faecal and urine specimens.
Whooping cough
There was a five-fold increase in the number of cases of whooping
cough reported. 223 compared with 45 in 1969.
Bacteriological examinations
Bacteriological examinations of stools and other specimens taken
in connection with food poisoning and infectious diseases were
carried out by the Joint Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory
at St. George's Hospital, Tooting, and the following 6,383 specimens
were examined during the year:—
Stools and urine 3,090
Nose and throat swabs 3,293
International certificates of vaccination against smallpox
Persons travelling abroad to certain specified countries are
required to possess a certificate of vaccination bearing the authenticating
stamp of the local authority of the area in which they were
vaccinated. During 1970, 11,426 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 proposing to travel
abroad for a certificate to the effect that no recent cases of smallpox
have occurred in the area where they reside. Only one such
certificate was requested and issued in Wandsworth during the year.
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. During the year, 40 such
persons who were proceeding to addresses in the Borough were
kept under observation.
Notifications are also received from Port and Local Authorities
whenever persons who may have been in contact with smallpox
arrive without a valid certificate. Three such persons were kept
under surveillance during the year.