London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hillingdon 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]
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20
Statistics, Infectious Diseases, Health Control Unit London (Heathrow) Airport
The following Table shows the incidence of infectious diseases during 1967.
| DISEASES | Ages of Cases Notified | Totals | Deaths | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under One Year | 1 to 2 | 3 to 4 | 5 to 9 | 10 to 14 | 15 to 24 | 25 and Over | 1967 | 1966 | 1967 | 1966 | |
| Scarlet Fever | 1 | 15 | 39 | 61 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 137 | 91 | – | — |
| Diphtheria | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | — |
| Whooping Cough | 8 | 29 | 25 | 35 | 5 | — | 5 | 107 | 53 | – | — |
| Measles | 129 | 900 | 986 | 1,381 | 63 | 10 | 12 | 3,481 | 832 | – | — |
| Meningococcal Infection | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | — |
| Poliomyelitis (Paralytic) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Poliomyelitis (Non-Paralytic) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Acute Encephalitis (Infective) | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | — |
| Acute Encephalitis (Post Infective) | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | – | — |
| Smallpox | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | — |
| Pneumonia | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 23 | 36 | 134 | 122 |
| Typhoid | — | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| Paratyphoid | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — |
| Dysentery | 1 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 61 | 4 | — | — |
| Food poisoning | 7 | 25 | 49 | 58 | 50 | 43 | 58 | 290 | 7 | — | — |
| Puerperal Pyrexia | – | – | – | – | – | 65 | 79 | 144 | 143 | — | — |
| Tuberculosis, Respiratory | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | 6 | 37 | 51 | 45 | 4 | 1 |
| Tuberculosis, Other | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | 13 | 18 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| Erysipelas | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | 5 | 10 | 9 | — | — |
Food Poisoning
During the year there was an outbreak of food poisoning, due to Salmonella organisms, which
affected two schools in the Borough. Of 1,214 children (infants and juniors) at risk in both schools, 516
developed symptoms, but Salmonella typhi-murium was isolated from less than half this number. In no
case was the illness very severe, but three pupils were admitted to hospital.
The two schools affected are situated one mile apart, but the food for both schools was cooked in
one kitchen. On investigation five members of the kitchen staff were found to be symptomless excreters
of Salmonella organisms, and two teachers were also positive.
It is often difficult in outbreaks of this nature to pinpoint the source of the infection and the
method of spread, but all of the evidence pointed to the infection being introduced by imported meat
which, although rendered harmless itself by cooking, contaminated kitchen equipment and thereby
caused the spread to other food.
Although the investigations necessary in outbreaks of this size take up a lot of time of doctors,
public health inspectors and health visitors, the co-operation of the school staff, parents and, of course,
the pupils themselves was always forthcoming and was greatly appreciated.
Health Control Unit, London (Heathrow) Airport
It was mentioned in the Annual Report for 1966 that policy decisions affecting the working of the
Health Control Unit were still awaited. Unfortunately, the position is still indefinite and the working
conditions for the Health Control Unit staff have deteriorated as a consequence.
The passenger traffic increased once again, 12,606,039 passengers using the airport. In 1966 the
number was 11,938,817.