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Another outbreak reported was of some 8 or 10 people out of 60
who attended a wedding reception becoming ill within a few hours after a
main meal, which as might be expected comprised a variety of food
which could conceivably have been responsible.
Amongst the food suspected was ham (hock) which had pursued a
rather less direct path towards its consumption than most of the other
food concerned and hence might have been more susceptible to contamination.
Be that as it may the outbreak was very suggestive but
not proven of having a staphylococcus toxic origin.
Various other minor instances involving largely individual cases
were brought to notice.
Sonne Dysentery:
For some unknown reason there appears to be an increase of this
particular type of Dysentery in various parts of this district and—as is
evident from general reading—in many other parts of the country as a
whole.
One particular outbreak in this district related to Oglethorpe School
at which a large number of cases or suspected cases occurred both in
the Junior and Infant Schools. Scrupulous investigation of the canteen
and staff was made and no possible reflection can rest upon either of
these as a possible source. Each case or suspected case was investigated
primarily to deal with any house contacts who might also be suffering or
had suffered from the condition and who might be in a positiion which
could give rise to a spread, e.g. a suspect engaged in the food industry.
In point of fact surprisingly few contacts were found who were in a
position to cause any communal trouble and very many of the absentees
from school whilst the Sonne Dysentery outbreak was prevalent, were
found to be absent from causes quite dissociate from Sonne. It was
deemed impracticable to carry out a meticulous bacteriological investigation
of every case and suspected case with a view to securing three or
more negatives before school return and a more arbitrary decision was
taken, in agreement with the Divisional School Medical Officer, that
after a certain period of exclusion a child was allowed to return to
school. This policy appeared to work reasonably well and by the time
the Christmas holidays had arrived (the outbreak came to light 26.11.56)
the outbreak was showing signs of diminution and in fact—as a review
in early 1957 proved—it had finally died during the holidays.
An individual, but interesting instance arose of a food handler in
this district being ascertained to be a Sonne 'carrier' as a result of
investigations made in her district of residence and in which she was a
household contact of a case of Sonne. In agreement with the Medical
Officer of Health of her area of residence, this lady—a waitress—was
excluded from work under the terms of the Public Health Infectious
Disease Regulations 1953, until proved bacteriologically to be freed of
the possibility of transmitting infection. I am in fact authorised to deal
with cases of this type under the Fourth Schedule of the Public Health
Infectious Disease Regulations, 1953, and this enabled the matter to
be dealt with immediately and without reference to or delay in awaiting
a particular Committee or Council meeting.