[Report 1952] / Medical Officer of Health, New Forest R.D.C.

  • New Forest (Hampshire, England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1952
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1952] / Medical Officer of Health, New Forest R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    37/44 (page 33)
    Information from the Doctor in attendance suggested a high incidence of diarrhoea in the village, mainly among School children. Immediate investigation was therefore commenced to ascertain the extent of the infection. Enquiries were commenced at the School on the 19th February, and a list of children absent during the term obtained from the Head¬ mistress. The Department was also notified daily of any child¬ ren absent. The families of these children were visited and speciments. for bacteriological examination obtained. Dairy and other food premises were also investigated and General Practitioners in the district were circulated and asked to notify any cases of diarrhoea occurring in their practice. At the end of the first week of investigation, 14 families comprising 42 persons, had been found giving a history of diarrhoea among one or more members of the family. Of this number bacteriological examination of specimens submitted to the Public Health Laboratory, Southampton, confirmed that 30 were excreting Shigella sonnei. The earliest known diarrhoea in a child was ascertained to be 23rd December, 1951. The family doctors of all positive cases were notified and appro¬ priate treatment given. 20 of the 30 positive cases were children attending the School. The evidence, therefore, suggested a reservoir of infection had been established at the School. In consultation with Dr. Irene Hutchinson, Director, Public Health Laboratory, Southampton, it was decided to carry out investigation at the School as to the source and mode of spread of infection. At the end of the third week, i.e., 1st March, follow-up of contacts and enquiries by the Department resulted in 27 families comprising 120 persons being under observation, of whom bacteriological examinations confirmed 44 to be excret¬ ing the bacillus of Sonne dysentery. No further excretersi were found or cases notified after the 8th March and the outbreak subsided. At this time a total of 29 families, comprising 130 persons, were under observation. The 44 positive cases were made up as follows:— 24 Children attending School “A”. 3 Children attending other Schools. 5 Children under School age. 12 Adults. The whole of the Staff at the School - teaching, kitchen, canteen and cleaning, were all found to be negative. While adults were more frequently symptomless carriers, infection in