The Aberdeen Typhoid Outbreak, 1964: A City in Quarantine
Contents
In May 1964, cases of typhoid fever began to appear in Aberdeen. Within weeks, more than 400 people had been taken to hospital, tourists were cancelling visits and the "Granite City" was being described in newspapers as a plague city. The source was traced to a single large tin of Argentinian corned beef sold in a city supermarket, contaminated by polluted water used to cool tins at the factory. The city's medical officer, Ian MacQueen, gave daily press conferences that made him a national figure. This card tells the story.
TL;DR
- established In May and June 1964 an outbreak of typhoid fever in Aberdeen led to 507 diagnosed cases, according to the microbiologist Hugh Pennington. Three deaths were connected with the outbreak, though Pennington notes none was caused by typhoid itself.
- established The outbreak was traced to a large tin of corned beef from Argentina, sold at a William Low supermarket in the city. The tin, from Rosario in Argentina, had probably been contaminated through a tiny puncture by polluted river water used to cool it after canning.
- established The meat slicer and handling at the shop spread the bacteria to other cooked meats.
- established Aberdeen's Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ian MacQueen, held frequent press briefings, which were praised by some for openness and criticised by others for causing alarm.
- established A government inquiry, the Milne Report, examined the outbreak and recommended improvements in food safety. The Queen visited Aberdeen afterwards in a show of confidence.
Key Facts
- Dates
- May–June 1964
- First cases
- 20 May 1964
- Cases
- 507 diagnosed (some sources say over 400)
- Deaths
- Three connected with the outbreak
- Source
- Contaminated tin of Argentinian corned beef
- Shop
- William Low supermarket, Aberdeen
- Spread
- Meat slicer and handling
- Medical Officer
- Dr Ian MacQueen
- Inquiry
- Milne Report
- Royal visit
- The Queen visited after the outbreak
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
Case numbers vary slightly between sources depending on whether confirmed and suspected cases are counted. Reported deaths associated with the outbreak also vary, and this card does not give a figure.
Timeline
First cases appear in Aberdeen.
Cases rise rapidly; source traced to corned beef.
More than 400 hospitalised; tourism collapses.
Outbreak declared over.
The Queen visits Aberdeen.
The Milne Report published.
The first two cases are identified.
Tesco takes over William Low, which never returned to Aberdeen after the outbreak.
Details
The outbreak
established Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, spreads through contaminated food and water. In May 1964, cases appeared in Aberdeen and quickly multiplied. The first two cases were identified on 20 May 1964. Patients were isolated at City Hospital and Woodend Hospital, with Tor-na-Dee Hospital used for overflow. In all, 507 cases were diagnosed.
The source
established Investigators traced the outbreak to a large tin of corned beef from Argentina, sold at a William Low supermarket in the city centre. The tin had probably been cooled after canning in untreated river water, which entered through a tiny defect. Once opened, the meat was sliced on a machine also used for other cold meats, spreading the infection to customers.
Ian MacQueen
established Dr Ian MacQueen, Aberdeen's Medical Officer of Health, gave daily press conferences, warning the public and urging hygiene measures. At first he said the outbreak would be small; later he warned of a possible second wave and up to 40,000 cases, which never came. His openness helped control the outbreak, but some felt it caused unnecessary fear and damaged the city's reputation. Union Street was sprayed with disinfectant, and schools, ballrooms and bingo halls closed. The press called Aberdeen a "beleaguered city".
Aftermath
established Tourist bookings collapsed during the summer. After the outbreak ended, the Queen visited Aberdeen to show confidence in the city. The government's Milne Report examined the outbreak and recommended changes in food handling and imports. The Argentinian canning industry came under scrutiny.
Did You Know?
- More than 400 people were hospitalised with typhoid in 1964.
- The source was a single tin of corned beef.
- A meat slicer spread the infection.
- The Medical Officer of Health held daily press conferences.
- The Queen visited Aberdeen after the outbreak.
- The first patient discharged was given a sash reading "Typhoid Queen 1964".
- The comedian Andy Stewart joked that only in Aberdeen would you get 500 slices out of a can of corned beef.
- Bacteria multiplied after meat was left in a sunny shop window.
FAQ
1What caused the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak?
A contaminated tin of Argentinian corned beef.
2How many people were affected?
More than 400 were hospitalised.
3How did it spread?
Through a meat slicer and food handling at a supermarket.
4Who was Ian MacQueen?
Aberdeen's Medical Officer of Health, who led the response.
5What happened afterwards?
An inquiry and changes in food safety.
6Did anyone die?
Three deaths were connected with the outbreak, but according to Hugh Pennington none was caused by typhoid itself.
7When did it start?
The first two cases were identified on 20 May 1964.
8What happened to William Low in Aberdeen?
Its reputation in the city was permanently damaged, and its Aberdeen store closed three years later.
Sources and Further Reading
Primary/Institutional
- Scottish Home and Health Department, The Aberdeen Typhoid Outbreak 1964 (the Milne Report, HMSO, 1964)
Scholarly/Critical
- Hugh Pennington, "In Aberdeen", London Review of Books blog, August 2020 (lrb.co.uk)
General
- Wikipedia, "1964 Aberdeen typhoid outbreak" (en.wikipedia.org)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Do not give a definite death toll without a reliable source.
A Shadow story