View report page

Investigations on board were carried out into possible sources of infection and samples of
cooked meats, milk and fresh water were taken. Arrangements were also made for faecal samples
to be taken from the five members of crew left on board. The milk was of the "long life" type
and had been obtained on the Continent one month before, along with the other stores. Fresh
milk bought in Portugal had unfortunately all been consumed. The water aboard was a mixture of
that taken on in Toulon and Avairo.
The vessel was kept under daily surveillance until she sailed for Rochester, when the Port
Medical Officer there was informed of the circumstances.
On 7th December it was reported by the hospital laboratory that the sample submitted
in respect of the Master was heavily contaminated with staphylococci, which can cause severe
toxic food poisoning. The sample of unsmoked salami taken from the ship showed the same
type of organism. It was also reported that a sample of the "long life" milk showed a heavy
growth of coliform organisms, whilst the water sampled showed bacterial counts of over 1,000 per
ml. The latter two findings, while not being pathogenic in themselves, are indicative of a high
degree of contamination. The information was passed to the Port Medical Officer at Rochester as
also was the fact that samples from the men in hospital had been found to be free from pathogens.
The vessel left Rochester on 9th December.
Details of the cases were passed to the Department of Health and Social Security together
with information on the place and date of purchase of the food and the origin of the water in order
that the facts could be reported to the respective countries of origin.
This incident illustrates problems associated with small ships on short sea voyages. The
ship can come from an area infected with a serious disease within the incubation period for that
disease and can move on to two or three ports after landing a patient before laboratory examination
of samples can provide evidence of the source of the illness. Efficient and rapid action at the port
where the disease is first manifest must be followed by equally efficient and rapid communications
with the other ports involved.
SECTION X
OBSERVATIONS OF THE OCCURRENCE OF MALARIA IN SHIPS
Three cases of Malaria (seamen) were reported on ships during the year under review. This
compares with one case in 1970.
A notice giving advice on the Chief Precaution and Treatment of Malaria is issued by the
Ministry of Transport and should be on board every British ship.
MALARIA PREVENTION IN SEAMEN
Arising from a report of a case of malaria occurring in a Seaman who missed six out of thirtyfive
anti-malarial tablets whilst on a voyage which touched the West Coast of Africa and bearing in
mind a similar case reported "a year before, it was decided to circulate all the major shipping
companies advising them of the importance of ensuring that all crew members should take antimalarial
precautions very seriously. Accordingly, in August a letter was sent in the following
terms:—
"Dear Sir,
Malaria Prevention in Seamen
Two cases of very serious forms of malaria have occurred recently in seamen who had been
exposed to malarial mosquitoes for a comparatively short space of time and who were relatively
careful about taking their anti-malarial pills. On one occasion the man had been ashore for only a
few hours, and in the other case the man had missed only six out of 35 doses.
It is apparent that the utmost importance must be attached to the education of all crew
members to ensure that they take their anti-malarial therapy every day without fail. It should be
emphasised in the course of this education that missing even a few days can result in contracting
malaria to such a degree that the man's life may be threatened.
I should be most grateful if you would consider setting the necessary educational work in
progress on the ships of your Line. (Of course, the proper maintenance of anti-mosquito screens
and other preventive measures should not be forgotten). Should there be any problems in which you
feel I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to let me know."
Subsequently an article in the Communicable Disease Report No.CDR71/31 dated 6th August
was received and dealt with the matter in a way which was pertinent to the letter circulated to all
Shipping Companies.
With the consent of the Editor of the Communicable Diseases Report, this article was circulated
to those Companies previously written to and the article is set out below.
19