Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]
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22
Statistics, Infectious Diseases, Health Control Unit London (Heathrow) Airport
eligible to enter the country without possessing a voucher from the Ministry of Labour, but who were
in fact considerably below the age stated. In this type of case radiology is of no assistance, and to
decide whether an Indian or Pakistani is 58, 60 or 62 years merely on appearance is a difficult problem.
It is an easier matter where there is a gross disparity.
1966 | 1965 | 1964 | |
---|---|---|---|
Pakistan | 1,933 | 3,193 | 3,555 |
India | 4,728 | 4,089 | 3,382 |
West Indies | 1,919 | 3,401 | 2,617 |
Far East | 1,186 | 770 | 861 |
West Africa | 677 | 269 | 488 |
Malta | 630 | 697 | 710 |
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Rhodesia | 287 | 215 | 226 |
Cyprus | 146 | 264 | 335 |
East Africa | 776 | 236 | 281 |
Other Territories | 234 | 115 | 76 |
This analysis shows that during the year there has been a fall in immigration from Pakistan, the
West Indies, Malta and Cyprus, and a rise from India, the Far East and East and West Africa.
The number of notifications sent from the airport to medical officers of health advising them of the
arrival in their areas of long-stay immigrants was 21,158, but it is a matter of conjecture how many of
these immigrants gave in fact a true or accurate address at which they could be found.
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS
This condition is the main medical cause for refusal of entry to a passenger by the Immigration
authorities. During the year 30 passengers were so refused, 14 of these from India, nine from Pakistan,
two each from Hong Kong and the Caribbean, and one each from Italy, Ceylon and Tanzania.
Three Indian immigrants were thought to have active tuberculosis but, despite recommendations
for refusal, they were allowed to land as a result of representations to Central Government. Five
passengers with active tubercle were landed and admitted immediately to hospital. Their countries of
origin, respectively, were Iraq, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Ghana.
In 221 cases destination medical officers of health were advised to refer the immigrant to the local
chest clinic for follow-up or observation, and the position at 31st December was that 19 of these
immigrants had been proved to be positive. More such cases may come to light later.
X-RAY UNIT
During the year a total of 6,949 immigrants were X-rayed, compared with 2,667 the previous year.
Of these, 6,700 were Commonwealth citizens and 249 were Aliens. Four hundred and ninety-six immigrants
were referred for X-ray from the Europa Passenger Building.
The consultant radiologist visited the unit weekly to report upon the films taken during the previous
seven days, and following his visit, destination medical officers of health were advised about the
X-ray reports.
SMALLPOX
For the fourth consecutive year, no case of smallpox was reported, although a smallpox consultant
was called on six separate occasions.