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23
Statistics, Infectious Diseases, Health Control Unit London (Heathrow) Airport
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF COMMONWEALTH IMMIGRANTS
The figures for 1967 show that there has been a definite increase in the number of Commonwealth
passengers referred for medical inspection by the Immigration authorities.
Comparative figures are:—
1967 16,061
1966 12,516
1965 13,249
1964 12,531
The trend shown in 1966 continued in 1967. By this is meant that in line with Government policy,
there has been a fall in those referred with work vouchers and a rise in those coming to the country for
settlement.
In 1966, the figure for voucher-holders referred for medical examination was 4,585, whilst the
figure relating to those coming for settlement was 7,690. In 1967, the corresponding figures were 4,256
and 11,673.
The number of Commonwealth passengers referred because they were coming to this country for
treatment or for reasons of health was 117. In 1966, the figure was 219.
During the year 112 Forms (Port 23) were completed, and 48 immigrants were refused entry for
medical reasons. These figures compare with 153 and 38, respectively, in 1966. The reason for refusal
was pulmonary tuberculosis in 39 cases; mental illness in 7 cases.

This increase in Commonwealth immigrants has been fairly evenly spread geographically between
Pakistan, India, the West Indies, the Far East and East Africa.
The number of notifications sent out to Medical Officers of Health regarding long-stay immigrants
rose from 21,158 to 26,137.
SMALLPOX
A smallpox consultant was called to the airport in connection with the arrival of a suspected case
on five different occasions. Smallpox was not the diagnosis in any of these.
On October 1st a Pakistani girl and her mother arrived at the airport from Karachi, and the girl
became ill on October 9th. She developed a rash on the 10th, which became vesicular on the 14th. She
was admitted to Long Reach Hospital from the Borough of Wandsworth on the 17th when the diagnosis
of variola major was confirmed. The mother, who was also admitted as a direct contact, and who was
successfully vaccinated on admission, developed highly modified smallpox and was the only other case.
During the year, 20 passengers who were not in possession of valid certificates of vaccination, who
could not be vaccinated or who refused to be vaccinated, arrived from infected local areas. These
passengers were placed in isolation for the statutory period.