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Sampling— Samples of drinking water were drawn from :—
(a) The Primary Filter.
(b) From transfer pump connected to No. 6 Double Bottom Tank.
(c) Tap over wash basin in No. 423 Cabin.
(d) Fresh water supply to ice making machine.
(e) Swabs from the taps in the Junior 4th Engineer's Cabin and the 3rd Radio Operator's
Cabin.
Samples of salad lettuce taken on board at Cape Town.
Sample of milk prepared from milk powder and ship's water supply.
In all cases the Bacteriologist reported "Organisms of the salmonella group NOT FOUND".
One water specimen showed the presence of a very small faecal coli contamination but the
whole drinking water system on the ship was cleansed and sterilised.
The names and addresses of such persons as had been in close contact with either of the cases
were forwarded, with a short explanatory note, to the Medical Officers of Health of the areas in
which the addresses were situated.
Summary
Three cases of typhoid fever occurred during the voyage, one passenger and two crew. They
appeared to be entirely unconnected and of shore origin. Investigation included a check on all
close contacts, medical, catering and laundry staff, engineers and radio operators. Only one
contact was admitted to hospital for investigation.
Bedding known to have been in use from the hospitals and cabins concerned was removed to
Denton Hospital for steam disinfection.
The possibility of all the cases being due to a "carrier" cannot be completely eliminated but
is, as already indicated, considered unlikely.
Addendum
The Surgeon of the "Bloemfontein Castle" informed me subsequently by telephone that a further
member of the crew — A Master-at-Arms — who had proceeded home to an address in Battersea,
had failed to report back for duty. Enquiry from the Battersea Public Health Department
revealed the fact that this man had been admitted to the Bolinbroke Hospital, Wandsworth Common,
where he had been diagnosed to be suffering from typhoid fever.
The vessel carried two Masters-at-Arms and as they shared a cabin the home address of the
second Master-at-Arms was obtained from the crew list of addresses and the Medical Officer of
Health of the area in which this man was residing (East Ham) was notified of the circumstances.
It was subsequently ascertained that this man had been visited and two samples, one of faeces
and one of urine,had been sent to the East Ham Memorial Hospital for examination. Both samples
were reported to be negative.
In addition and although it was now fourteen days since the patients had left the ship, arrangements
were made for the cabin to be fumigated forthwith.
Owing to the imminent sailing of the vessel the Ship's Surgeon had obtained a supply of T.A.B.
(Anti-typhoid vaccine) and proposed to inoculate the whole of the crew and as many as possible of
the out-going passengers.
Finally, a report from the Port Health Inspector on the King George V. Dock read as follows:—
"The above vessel has now sailed. All work asked to be carried out while the vessel was
in port and in dry dock was completed in a satisfactory manner.
"Extensive cleansing of kitchens and storerooms was undertaken. All galvanised kitchen
equipment was sent ashore for regalvanising or replacement.
"All passenger accommodation including alleyways has been completely cleansed throughout.
"Double bottom tanks, tunnel tanks and after peak tank normally used for the storage of
fresh water have been cleansed and chlorinated throughout.
"I wish to report that the Union Castle Line staff and all I came in contact with on the
vessel proved very helpful during the course of this investigation and in the work involved.
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