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Epidemiological aspects of an outbreak of encephalomyelitis at the Royal Free Hospital, London, in the summer of 1955

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

Nuala Crowley ,
Merran Nelson  and
Sybille Stovin
Nuala Crowley
Affiliation:
Bacteriology Department of the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C. 1
Merran Nelson
Affiliation:
Bacteriology Department of the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C. 1
Sybille Stovin
Affiliation:
Bacteriology Department of the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C. 1
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An outbreak of encephalomyclitis of unknown actiology occurred in the Royal Free Hospital Teaching Group in 1955. The disease which affected about 9% of the population was probably a viral infection spread by personal contact. People of all ages were attacked but those under 30 were most susceptible. Institutional life was an important factor in determining the case incidence which was highest among nurses, orderlies and resident domestic staff. The clinical picture was one of encephalomyelopathy, with lympho-reticular reaction and relapsing myalgia.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 55 , Issue 1 , March 1957 , pp. 102 - 122
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1957

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