[Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Blackpool County Borough.

  • Blackpool (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Blackpool County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/88 (page 14)
    FOOD POISONING. Seven outbreaks of food poisoning were recorded, and brief details of these are given in the following table. Cases Notified Cases found to have symptoms Consumers at risk Organism or other agent responsible Food involved. 2 3 Indefinite Salmonella Typhimurium Indefinite. Onset occurred on the 12th June for one person and on the 14th June in respect of the second person. The main symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea were of three to five days’ duration in respect of the first person and one day in respect of the second person. The corned beef and boiled ham which were consumed prior to the outbreak were purchased from shop premises which on inspection would appear to be quite satisfactory. 17 17 35 Indefinite Indefinite. The onset in respect of one case was the 27th July, 1957, and the other 16 cases on the 28th July, 1957. The main symptoms were abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The duration of the illness, which was mild, was over- night, and all the patients recovered during the following day. The policy of the hotel was to cook meats on the day prior to use, the cooking taking place in a small recess or area outside the kitchen window and below ground level. It was observed that dust collected in this recess and an alternative place was advised. 14 14 25 None identified Probably chicken. The onset occurred in the early morning of the 25th July, 1957. The main symptoms were abdominal pains and diarrhoea, and the illness, which was mild, lasted only until the following day. The suspect food was most probably cooked at the establishment. A refrigerator was in use. The proprietors were advised to have the toilets disinfected and the crockery and utensils thoroughly sterilized. 10 10 40 None identified Indefinite. The onset was early morning of the 30th July, 1957. The main symptoms were abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and the illness, which was mild, lasted only until the following day. The majority of the food consumed was cooked on the premises. A refrigerator was in use. 10 16 48 None identified Possibly lamb. The onset was early morning of the 25th July, 1957. The main symptoms were abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and the illness was mild. The patients recovered during the following day. The suspect lamb was cooked overnight, atmospherically cooled and then kept in a refrigerator. It was not re-heated. The pro- prietors were advised to keep the cooling period to a minimum prior to refrigerator. Although a detergent was being used for washing up, this was not a sterilant, and it was advised that the toilets and utensils and crockery be thoroughly disinfected. The sources of supplies were checked but no other cases had apparently been notified. 2 2 6 Salmonella Typhimurium Indefinite. The onset was late evening of the 15th July, 1957. The main symptoms were abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. The illness was severe in the case of the female, but only average in the case of the male. The duration of the illness was 4 to 5 days. The premises were a domestic dwellinghouse and the food was home cooked. The premises had normal pantry facilities which were ventilated, but there was no refrigerator in the home. Although closely questioned the occupants could throw no light on how they presumed they had become infected. The only food consumed which was associated with Salmonella was cold beef. 1 3 12 Salmonella Typhimurium Not known. Possibly cooked meat. The onset was the 16th August, 1957, the main symptoms being abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. The illness was severe, ia.sting up to three weeks in one case, and average, lasting up to three days, in another. The third person suffered no ill effects.The cooked meat was roasted on the premises and served cold. The boarding house was closed until all the positives had been given three negative results. Single Cases. Twenty one single cases occurred during 1957. The agent was unidentified in nine cases. Salmonella Typhimurium was identified in eleven cases, and Salmonella (not typed) identified in one case.