CHICKEN-POX

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 25, 9 November 1936, Page 3

CHICKEN-POX

OUTBREAK ON THE MATAROA. THE PASSENGERS VACCINCATED. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 8. A case of chicken-pox which developed on board the Mataroa two days after the vessel left London had unpleasant results for all the passengers and crew during the rest of the voyage to New Zealand. It was thought that the case might be one of modified smallpox, and therefore the ship was kept in quarantine at Curacao and Jamaica. Nearly all on board' were vaccinated, but seven passengers refused to be vaccinated and three were not treated for health reasons.' The disease did not spread, but a small daughter of the patient developed a mild attack of chickenpox and remained in quarantine on board for the rest of the voyage.

Many of the passengers were vio : lently ill for several days after vaccination, and had to remain in their cabins. Some had symptoms similar to influenza, and others were more seriously affected, with serious inflamma>tino and swelling near the wound, with a high temperature. .The Mataroa remained in the stream for nearly two hours after her arrival on Saturday afternoon while the Medical officer of health (Dr. Hughes), the port officer (Mr Graham Russell) and Dr. It. H. McGill examined the patients and inspected all the passengers and crew.

Since the incubation period for suspected smallpox had elapsed and the inspection was satisfactory, the ship was given a clean bill of health. The .patient was removed to the isolation ward of the Auckland Hospital for observation, and the small girl and hei mother, who stayed with her, were released from quarantine. The passengers who refused to 'be vaccinated have been asked to Report to the health authorities. The necessary precautions have been taken with the infected! clothing and baggage. Inquiries in Britain. The chicken-pox which caused all the trouble was discovered when the ship s surgeon was called in through the appearance of an extensive rash. Acting on instructions from the British Ministry for Health, he isolated the patient —a New Zealander returning home—and his wife and two children. Passengers who had visited the sick man were vaccinated as a precaution. Wireless messages were sent to the Ministry for Health inquiring about the incidence of smallpox in Britain. Ibe replies were to the effect that there had been no smallpox in the United Kingdom for a year, and no suspicion of it at places where the passenger and his family had resided in England. When the Mataroa arrived at Curacao, however, there was a consultation by the port health authorities, and the case was diagnosed as one of modified smallpox. Consequently the ship remained in quarantine, and not even one of the officers or crew was- allowed ashore. A notice was posted on the ship’s official board stating that the health authorities strongly recommended vaccination for all passengers. The diagnosis of the Curacao doctors is stated to have been endorsed when the ship arrived at Port Royal, Jamaica. As a result, all passengers had to stay on board again, and the ship remained at anchor for the rest of the day. Opposition to vaccination was expressed by some passengers, but the issue was settled by another notice which was posted at Jamaica. it stated that the health authorities at Curacao and Jamaica recommended vaccination, and the New Zealand authorities, who had been in touch with the ship, insisted on it. Several passengers refused to be vaccinated, however, although there was a possibility of being quarantined on arrival in New Zealand.

A son of the patient who had suffered from chicken-pox in England was released from quarantine on tho ship after the necessary period had elapsed, but his small sister, who had developed the disease on October 14, remained there. When the Panama Canal was reached only a brief stay was made at Colon. After a medical inspection at Panama, the passengers were pleased to hear that they woidd be allowed to land, and although the day was Sunday and the principal shops were closed they made the most of their first shore leave since leaving Southampton. The Mataroa sailed at midnight for the last 19 days of her voyage, and did not make the usual call at Pitcairn Islamd because of tho risk of infection to the natives. Vaccination of the crew was continued, but the vaccination of the stewards was not begun until October 13, so that too .many of the ship’s company .should not be incapacitated at the same time. Stewards are vaccinated every five years, but they were done again for safety’s sake.