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Cases landed from other ships.
Chicken pox — 1 (Cadet) 1
Training ship "Wendorian."
SMALLPOX.
A vessel arrived off Grave send at 0315 hours on the 2nd October, 1953, from the West Coast of
Africa and was boarded by the Boarding Medical Officer.
The Master declared one death from smallpox on 14th August, 1953, in hospital in Port Harcourt.
Voyage Itinerary.
London dep. 29.6.53
Dakar arr. 11.7.53 dep. 12.7.53
Takoradi 17.7.53 „ 17.7.53
Lagos „ 19.7.53 „ 29.7.53
Port Harcourt „ 4.8.53 ,, 10.8.53
Calabar „ 11.8.53 „ 16.8.53
Santa Isabel „ 17.8.53 ,, 18.8.53
Bata „ 19.8.53 „ 20.8.53
Santa Isabel „ 21.8.53 „ 21.8.53
Duala „ 22.8.53 „ 24.8.53
Port Gentil 25.8.53 „ 2.9.53
Libreville „ 3.9.53 „ 4.9.53
Lagos ,, 6.9.53 ,, 14.9.53
Takoradi „ 15.9.53 „ 15.9.53
Dakar 21.9.53 „ 21.9.53
London „ 2.10.53
Case History.
On 7.8.53, while the ship was lying in Port Harcourt, a Carpenter, age 26, reported sick with
temperature 101°, malaise and severe headache. He was seen that day by the Company's local doctor
who tentatively diagnosed measles. Next day, 8.8.53, his temperature had risen to 102° and all
symptoms were exacerbated. He was again seen by the doctor who then changed the diagnosis to
chicken pox as a vesicular rash had appeared. Distribution of this rash could not be obtained from
the Master.
On 9.8.53 the patient was worse and he was removed to hospital ashore.
During these two days the entire crew was vaccinated "as a routine" and not on account of
the sick man. The patient was not vaccinated and never had been, not even in infancy.
After arrival in hospital the case was seen by the Medical Officer of Health of Port Harcourt,
who diagnosed smallpox. The patient died on 14.8.53 and was buried ashore in Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile the vessel had sailed early on 10.8.53 for Calabar and on arrival there a signal was
received giving smallpox as the diagnosis.
Disinfection of the patient's cabin was carried out by the Chief Steward with approximately
2 lbs. of roll sulphur burnt in a bucket, the cabin being sealed for 24 hours with the bedding in situ.
This fumigation was not carried out by the local Port Health Authority.
Action taken on arrival.
An inspection of the infected cabin, which was situated on the starboard side amidships on the
main deck next to the exit to the after deck, showed it to be approximately 12 ft. by 10 ft. by 8 ft.
so that 2 lbs. of roll sulphur would hardly be adequate for efficient fumigation, though climatic
humidity and temperature would add to its efficacy. Next day the cabin floor and paintwork was
thoroughly scrubbed down.
The cabin was later occupied by a Native Customs Officer for two nights but has otherwise been
unoccupied since except as a dump for soiled linen which was stiff there in large kit bags on the vessels
arrival in the Thames.
The entire contents of the cabin, including the original bedding (mattress, pillows, sheets and
blankets) together with the bags of soiled linen and the soft furnishings of the cabin were removed
to Denton Hospital for steam disinfection and the cabin locked for re-fumigation on the vessels
arrival in dock.
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