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TYPHOID FEVER
Three cases of typhoid fever were notified in the Borough during 1970. One young man
became ill shortly after returning from a caravan holiday in the West country. He had never been
out of the United Kingdom but a close family contact had a history of typhoid infection some
thirty years previously in India. Subsequent investigation did not produce any relevant findings,
although a further family contact who had recently returned from a Mediterranean holiday was
found to be excreting a different type of salmonella organism. There were no secondary cases.
A lady aged 23 years arrived in this country from India in December 1970. She felt unwell
two days later and shortly after moving from the Hillingdon area to an adjoining Borough, she
was admitted to Hospital and found to be suffering from typhoid fever. Two of the contacts at
the address in this Borough were employed in the food trade, and exclusion from work for 21 days
was necessary. All laboratory investigations of these contacts were negative.
A six year old girl who became ill whilst on a visit to India returned to this country and was
admitted to Hospital where a diagnosis of typhoid fever was confirmed.
An infant in an adjoining Borough developed typhoid fever and subsequent investigation
confirmed the source of the infection as the child's grandmother. During the course of these
enquiries several people residing in Hillingdon were found to be in frequent contact with the
infant. Investigations of these contacts proved negative, but since four were employed in the
food trade and continued contact with the source case seemed likely, vaccination against typoid
fever was thought to be a wise precaution.
PARA-TYPHOID FEVER
There were two cases of infection with salmonella para-typhoid B. One occurred in an
elderly man admitted to hospital with a heart condition, and who appeared to have been a symptomless
carrier for a long period. The second case was a housewife. No secondary cases of the disease
developed.
Health Control Unit, London (Heathrow) Airport
Dr. P. R. Cooper—Principal Medical Officer
One of the main events of 1970 was the completion of Phase I of the new Arrivals Building
in Terminal 3 and the construction of the major portion of the new Pier 7, designed to receive the
"747" aircraft. The new Arrivals Building started to operate at the beginning of June and the
Control Authorities moved across from their old premises into the new building at this time. With
the move, the system of conducting health control centrally in the arrivals lounge finally ceased
and all checks are now carried out on the Piers or at the North Coach Station.
The opening of the new building was welcomed by the staff, as the premises provided much
needed space, increased office accommodation, proper staff rest rooms and a well designed
X-ray unit. Recruitment of staff proceeded apace and general morale lifted. Inevitably minor
troubles occurred, in particular heating and ventilation problems. These are in the process of
solution.
Relations between the medical staff of the Unit and the nursing staff of the British Airports
Authority were very good and for this much of the credit must go to Miss King, the Principal Nursing
Officer to the Authority, who throughout the year has continued to improve standards. Much new
medical equipment was ordered and the service available to the sick was better than it has ever
been in the history of Heathrow.
The Working Group set up by the then Board of Trade in 1969 to report upon the Medical and
Ambulance Services and to examine the emergency arrangements and problems of post-accident
care in the event of an aircraft accident, completed its task in August and the final Report, together
with its conclusions and recommendations, was submitted to the Chairman of the Working Party.
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