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Appendix 2
COPIES OF SPECIAL REPORTS ON OUTBREAKS
OF FLEXNER AND SONNE DYSENTERY
Outbreak of Flexner Dysentery.—On 11th October, St. Ann's
Hospital, St. Ann's Road, N.17, notified the Southgate Public
Health Department that a child aged five had been admitted, and
that the diagnosis was confirmed as Flexner dysentery. Immediate
investigations showed that symptoms suggestive of dysentery had
occurred in a number of families in the Winchmore Hill part of
Southgate, and that all the famiiles concerned had had contact
with the case. Investigations also showed that the infection seemed
to have arisen in a family which had returned from hop-picking
in the Maidstone district of Kent. The family in question gave a
history of signs and symptoms compatible with dysentery while in
Kent, symptoms being still present in all its members when they
returned to their home in Southgate. This information was passed
on to the Medical Officer of Health of Maidstone Rural District
Council on 18th October, 1950.
To date, one hundred and fifty fasces specimens have been
collected from fifty-six members of the families implicated. Of
these, thirty-seven have been returned as containing Flexner W.
organisms.
Frequent visits were made to the homes from which infection
had been reported. Advice on precautionary measures was given,
and all possible steps taken to ensure that this advice was followed.
Fifteen of the "carriers" and contacts discovered were admitted
to hospital for supervision and treatment, after consultation with
the family doctors concerned.
Although the child referred to in paragraph 1 above was the
only case officially reported as suffering from Flexner dysentery,
it is highly probable that other cases did occur among the families
concerned. With the exception of the case notified, the illnesses
were mild in every instance, and no further notifications have as
yet been received. It is known, however, that two cases of Flexner
dysentery did occur in children in Edmonton. These children
were relatives of, and had had contact with, one of the families
in Southgate. The family originally involved moved to Friern
Barnet shortly after the outbreak was discovered. A second child
in this family is reported to have suffered from Flexner dysentery.
Although all the "carriers" and contacts admitted to hospital
were discharged as free from infection, later specimens were
reported as positive in five cases. These individuals are being kept
under strict observation. Contacts and "carriers" are not being
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