§ 57. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any official report has been received by the Department of Health for Scotland regarding the outbreak of paratyphoid fever at Aignish, Isle of Lewis; whether full investigation regarding sources of infection has been or is being made; and whether he has any further statement to make in the matter?
Mr. WedderburnYes, Sir, I understand that the investigation by the county medical authorities suggested that there was no common source of infection such as milk or water but indicated the possibility of the outbreak having arisen from the consumption by one of the patients of shell-fish on the seashore. The Department of Health were advised by the county medical officer on 18th May that 892 there had been no fresh cases for three weeks, and that the outbreak might be regarded as over.
§ Mr. MacMillanIn view of the fact that about two months after the epidemic or outreak took place there was apparently no investigation and no report, will the Under-Secretary explain when the investigation was made?
Mr. WedderburnThe Department received from the medical officer of health on 27th April a report of an outbreak of paratyphoid. The first case was brought to the notice of the assistant medical officer of health for Stornoway on 15th April, and according to the latest reports there have been no other cases since 27th April.