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(i) Typhoid Fever
A vessel arrived in London on 21st June and on 23rd June a seaman reported sick and was
admitted to St. Olave's Hospital. Subsequently he was transferred to Hither Green Hospital and a
provisional diagnosis of typhoid fever was confirmed. On 25th June one of your Assistant Medical
Officers, visited the ship and offered T.A.B. vaccine to all the remaining crew, of whom 18
accepted the offer. Certain members of the crew left the vessel on her arrival in London and they
were "followed up", one Englishman via the local medical officer of health and the seamen who
were returning to their homes on the Continent via the Department of Health and Social Security
who also sent information to Brazil, from whence the vessel came.
One further crew member reported sick on 26th June and he too, was admitted to hospital as
a suspected case of typhoid fever. This diagnosis was not confirmed. A Stewardess who had
returned to Denmark notified her husband (the ship's cook) that she was ill at home with symptoms
similar to those of typhoid fever. The outcome of the illness is not known.
On 26th June specimens of food and water were taken and on 27th June faecal and urine
samples were taken from all except one crew member.
The vessel sailed for the East German port of Rostok on 27th June and. through the good
offices of the Port of London Authority, a telex message, giving full details, was sent to the Port
Medical Officer at Rostock. (As the U.K. has no diplomatic contact with the East German
Democratic Republic it was not possible to send details through the Department of Health and
Social Security as is more usual).
All the faecal and urine samples proved negative and. again through the good offices of the
Port of London Authority, a further telex was sent to Rostok on 3rd July notifying them of this.
On 9th July a final telex was sent notifying that the water and food samples had also proved
negative. As the vessel was proceeding to Kotka and Stockholm information was also relayed to
those ports.
On 16th July it was found that the vessel was returning to the port of Hull and full details
were sent by letter to the Medical Officer of Health of Hull. No further cases of illnesses were
reported.
Your Medical Officer is pleased to report this example of co-operation afforded by the Port
of London Authority telex service. A suitable letter was sent to the Port of London Authority
Director General.
(ii) Typhoid Fever
A vessel arrived in London on 31st July from Panama City. Two members of the crew were
reported as sick and taken to Denton Hospital for further examination. In view of the symptoms a
provisional diagnosis of typhoid fever was made and the men transferred to Joyce Green Hospital
for further tests. Typhoid fever was confirmed.
In the meantime the vessel was visited in Surrey Dock and a full investigation of other crew
members carried out, together with examination of samples of the fresh water supplies. Fumigation
of the ship's hospital, cabins and lavatories took place, and the vessel was kept under daily
surveillance until she sailed for Leningrad on 4th August. Three members of the crew who had
proceeded home to Germany were "followed up" through the Department of Health and Social
Security. Results of examinations of stool, urine and water samples were negative and full
information was passed to Leningrad Port Health Authority and the Department of Health and Social
Security. No further cases of sickness were reported.
(iii) ? Typhoid Fever
On the 13th November a message was received to the effect that a seaman from a vessel had
discharged himself from hospital on the 11th November and that the man had called at the office
of the Shipping Agents to make arrangements for his flight home to Denmark. Subsequently the
Shipping Agents had received a message to say that the man might have been suffering from
typhoid fever. The agents were concerned about possible contact with office staff. This was the
first indication to the Authority that there was a seaman in the Port thought to be suffering from
typhoid fever.
By the time the information was received the man had reached London Airport and was ready
to board the aircraft. The Medical Unit at London Airport was alerted as was the Department of
Health & Social Security. The man was seen on board the aircraft, but insisted on continuing his
flight.
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