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16
FOOD POISONING
In 1956, there was a marked fall in the number of cases
notified and 1957's increase represents a return to the numbers
of previous years rather than an unusual rise. These figures do
not include an outbreak which occurred in a corporation special
school. This affected both staff and children and was shown to
be due to a staphylococcal infection of canned peas. No-one was
seriously ill, but the matter was investigated very fully in conjunction
with the Public Health Laboratory service. A meeting was
held in London with representatives of the canners, their research
organisation and the Laboratory Service. It was quite clear that
no blame rested on the School Meals service, as the can had been
infected before being opened. Appropriate action was taken to
prevent a repetition of this incident.
The food poisoning notifications, as corrected, for 1957 were:-
1st
Quarter
21
2nd
Quarter
9
3rd.
Quarter
30
4th
Quarter
14
Total
74
Outbreaks due to identified agents:-
Total Outbreaks Total Cases
4 13
Outbreaks due to:-
(a) Chemical Poisons Nil (d) Cl. Botulinum Nil
(b) Salmonella Organisms 4 (e) Other Bacteria Nil
(c) Staphylococci (including
toxin) Nil
Outbreaks of undiscovered cause:-
Total Outbreaks Total Cases
8 23
Single Cases:-
Agent identified Unknoun Cause Total
16 22 38