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essary period. One case of suspected smallpox in a resident in the
Borough was also investigated at the request of the family doctor, but
proved to be negative.
Streptococcal Infections
In mid-May a notification of meningitis was received in respect
of a child attending one of the Borough's Special Schools. Investigation
revealed that a number of children at the school had sore throats
and laboratory tests showed the infection to be due to haemolytic
streptococcus. The children were excluded while they were under
treatment and for 48 hours after treatment ended. No new cases
occurred.
Late in August a maternity patient at a local hospital was found
to be infected with haemolytic streptococcus, Lancefield Group A.
Three other patients and six staff were also found to be infected. The
infected patients were isolated and kept under the care of the infected
staff to prevent further spread of infection. Two of the Borough's
midwives and two pupils were involved, but test results in their case
were negative.
Tuberculosis
In September a worker in a playgroup was found to be suffering
from active pulmonary tuberculosis. There was a thorough and complete
investigation of the staff, children and contacts and all the children
and some adults connected with the playgroup were tested. All
results were negative and no new cases have so far come to light.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid
There were no notified cases in 1971. Five suspected cases of
typhoid and four of paratyphoid were investigated, all with negative
results. The laboratory assistant who had typhoid in 1970 was finally
cleared in December, 1971.
Minor outbreaks
In late April and early May there were minor outbreaks of illness
at three Primary, one Middle and two High Schools. In four, the
symptoms were sore throats, temperature, headache and runny eyes,
and in the other two schools, sickness. Specimens were sent for
virological as well as bacteriological examination, but all results were
negative.
Food Poisoning
During the year there were three minor outbreaks of food poisoning.
In the first, 15 people became ill after a meal, in a private house,
prepared from chicken. The illness was of short duration and not
severe. Although salmonella virchow was isolated from a chicken
carcase, tests on the people affected all gave negative results. The
infection was thought to have been brought about by the too slow
cooling and subsequent re-heating of the chicken.
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