H—3l

SUMMARY The general features of Kaikoura have been described. An account of an outbreak of typhoid fever in Kaikoura during September, October, and November, 1947, with 78 cases and 3 deaths, has been set out in some detail. Evidence has been given which it is considered indicates that the local milk-supply was the most probable means by which infection was spread. Pasteurization of the milk-supply was introduced, and the outbreak quickly thereafter came to an end. It has been shown that the milk most probably became infected by way of the watersupply used in the dairy. It has been further shown that direct and indirect human faecal pollution of the supply was taking place. Cultural tests undertaken to determine whether the supply was specifically contaminated with S. typhi proved negative. One of the persons by whom the supply could have been contaminated indirectly was an ex typhoid case.

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