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As the vessel was still in Port the rest of the crew were seen and offered TAB vaccination.
Only one accepted. Urine samples were collected from all the crew and one faecal sample and all
sent for examination. The drinking water was also sampled and submitted for examination. Details
of the crew members who had left the ship were obtained and forwarded to the Department of
Health & Social Security.
The hospital reported that they had been unable to make a proper diagnosis as the man had
refused to stay and proper tests had not been undertaken. Strong representations were made that
this Authority should have been informed at the earliest possible moment and it is hoped that
similar instances will not recur.
Subsequently the samples which had been submitted were found to be negative and the
Department of Health & Social Security were so informed.
This case illustrates the problems involved in international travel in that, without firm
evidence that a person is suffering from a serious infectious disease, it is sometimes difficult to
take preventive action in the time available.
PUBLIC HEALTH (SHIPS) REGULATIONS 1966 - INFECTIOUS DISEASE
A vessel arrived in London on 28th September and no mention was made of there being any
sick person on board.
Subsequently it became apparent that a member of the crew had reported sick in Rotterdam,
received some treatment from a doctor there and was still ill in his bunk when the vessel was
boarded by the Medical Officer on duty at Gravesend. This was discovered when a telex message
was received from the Port Medical Officer of Rotterdam notifying your Medical Officer that the
crew member's doctor had taken a faecal specimen which was positive for Salmonella typhimurium.
The man was admitted to Rush Green Hospital and faecal and urine samples were taken from all
the crew of the vessel. Samples of food and water were also taken.
The vessel sailed before the results were known. When received they showed that two
members of the crew were excreting Salmonella typhimurium and one other member was excreting a
different Salmonella of Group B. The food and water samples were satisfactory.
The results of the investigation were notified to the Port Medical Officer at Bremen, which
was the next port of call and a copy sent to the Port Medical Officer of Rotterdam. Information
was also sent to the Medical Officer of Health of the areas to which four passengers had gone on
leaving the vessel.
The matter was referred to the Comptroller and City Solicitor with regard to the fact that the
Master answered "NO" to all the Questions on the Declaration of Health and also denied verbally
that there was any sick person on board.
Subsequently proceedings were instituted against the Master of the vessel.
SECTION N
OBSERVATIONS OF THE OCCURRENCE OF MALARIA ON SHIPS
Two cases of Malaria were reported in seamen admitted to hospital after the arrival of their
ships during the year under review. Four cases occurred in 1968.
SECTION XI
MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST SHIPS INFECTED OR SUSPECTED OF PLAGUE
No ships infected with plague (or suspected plague) arrived during the year.
SECTION XII
MEASURES AGAINST RODENTS IN SHIPS FROM FOBEIGN PORTS
(i) Procedure for inspection of ships for rats
The Port Health Authority employs an experienced and competent team of seventeen Rodent
Inspectors, who exercise control measures on all ships and shore premises within the Port area
under the supervision of the Port Health Inspectors.
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