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41
The outbreak involving 10 persons although small was of
a more serious nature. A number of persons became violently
ill and some were treated in hospital during the first week in
July, a period of very hot humid weather® They had all eaten
cooked ham bought off the bone from a shop in Kingston.
Samples of the ham yielded staphylococcus aureus and the same
organism and type was isolated from swabs taken from the ham
carver employed by the shop.
Upon notification of the illnesses and the ham being suspected,
immediate action was taken to remove the ham from sale.
The department of the shop concerned was put out of action
until sterilisation of utensils benches and all implements had
taken place9 and work was not resumed until continuing danger
from this source was excluded.
The number of consumers at risk was incalculable. The ham
was sold at the week-end in weather ideal for cold and salad
meals. A number of revisits were made to the shop and helpful
co-operation was afforded by the management.
A strong contributory factor to the growth of organisms
with which the ham was contaminated was extraordinarily hot and
humid weather (Temperature 880F Humidity 19.1 mb.) plus the
fact that in a number of households the purchased ham was kept
over night in unrefrigerated larders.
The above action appeared to be successful as no further
cases were reported. The Medical Officer of Health particularly
acknowledges the help rendered by the Epsom Public Health
Laboratory (Dr. D.M. Stone) and the Pathological Department at
Kingston Hospital (Dr. D. Stark Murray).
Tuberculosis.
During 1957 the number of new eases notified in Kingston
was 27, 26 of which referred to respiratory disease. The
corresponding figures for 1956 were 27 and 25.
The South Wast Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board Mass
X-Ray Unit was unable to make its customary annual visit to
the town because it had to be diverted to participate in a
special survey in Glasgow. A strict comparison between 1957
and 1956 with regard to new cases notified may be prejudiced
by this, but there is no reason to believe that any active
cases remain undiscovered because of the absence of the Unit
from the town for one month of the year.