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Case 1. Mr. "C"— 3rd Radio Officer
Onset 10.5.57. Complained of cough and cold; found to have a temperature of 102°. On
11.5.57 and 12.5.57 he had rigors and was accordingly landed at Cape Town on 13.5.57 as suspected
malaria. It was not until a second and third case arose that the Ship's Surgeon asked for
further information about this man and received, on 24.5.57, a cable stating that "C" "was now
diagnosed typhoid fever". This man is known to have been ashore in all ports visited and
Laurenco Marques, the first time, is considered by the Ship's Surgeon to be the most likely source
of infection, possibly through eating shellfish in this port.
Case 2. Mr. "A"— Passenger
This man came from Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, by car to Beira where he embarked on
1.5.57. He reported sick on 13.5.57 complaining of shivering fits and was found to have a temperature
of 102°. He had a swinging temperature until 21.5.57 since when he has had a continuous
temperature of about 100°F. unaffected by successive treatments of penicillin, streptomycin
and achromycin. A feature of this man's illness was a complete absence of other symptoms
and signs. A blood specimen was taken at Las Palmas for a Widal test, the result of which has
been reported as strongly positive. (1 in 80).
Case 3. Mr. "B" — Junior Engineer
This man reported sick on 19.5.57 complaining of constipation for five days. Temperature 102°.
He had a good response to achromycin. A Widal test taken in Las Palmas had been reported
positive (1 in 1280) and there seems to be no doubt about the diagnosis. He first stated he had
noteaten anything ashore but on detailed questioning revealed that he had had many 'milk shakes'
while ashore in Durban on 6.5.57.
There seemed to be no close association between the patients although the crew members had
at times used the same mess as well as the main saloon. All, however, had a clear history of
consuming 'suspicious' food ashore and it was agreed that the source of infection was in all
cases most probably a shore one.
There were, during the voyage, the usual outbreaks of diarrhoea except that perhaps the crew
were rather more affected than is common.
In view of this and the unanimous opinion that it was a shore infection it was decided that
investigation of the personnel could be restricted to those contacts who still had diarrhoea
although all contacts would be questioned.
Contacts of the Two Crew Cases
(a) All other Radio Officers — None had been sick.
(b) All other Engineers — None had been sick.
(c) Radio Officers and Engineers' Stewards—
Mr. "D" had had several attacks of diarrhoea, one still current and this man was
admitted to Thurrock Hospital for investigation when the final diagnosis was NOT
typhoid fever.
Two others had had slight attacks of diarrhoea but had now fully recovered.
Contacts witti Passenger Case
(1) Stewardess — Never ill.
(2) Stewardess — Diarrhoea in Beira. Fully recovered.
(3) Bedroom Steward — Diarrhoea 10 days ago. Fully recovered.
(4) Bedroom Steward — Diarrhoea 12 days ago. Fully recovered.
(5) Bedroom Steward — Never ill.
(6) Bedroom Steward — Never ill.
(7) Bedroom Steward — Never ill.
(8) Assistant Steward — Never ill.
(9) Assistant Steward — Very mild diarrhoea 10 days ago. Fully recovered.
Contacts common to all Cases
(1) Surgeon — Never ill.
(2) Nursing Sister — Never ill.
(3) Hospital Attendant — Not been ill until morning of arrival when he had one loose motion,
but at no other time. He was left on board under observation.
(4) Linen Steward — Never ill.
(5) Assistant Steward — Never ill.
(6) Laundryman — Never ill.
(7) Assistant Laundryman — Diarrhoea 10 days ago. Fully recovered.
(8) Four call boys — All never ill.
(9) Four laundresses — All never ill.
One other passenger reported sick on the morning of arrival, complaining of nausea and
diarrhoea. She was interviewed and it transpired that she had been to a farewell party the previous
evening, though not admitting to any excess. She had no headache, no temperature and
was already feeling somewhat better. She was allowed to proceed to her destination.
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