OUTBREAK OF PARALYSIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 144, 31 March 1948, Page 2

OUTBREAK OF PARALYSIS

Immunity Gained by Children DOCTORS FAVOUR OPENING OF SCHOOLS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 30. Basing their conclusions on the records of cases of infantile paralysis admitted to the Auckland Hospital over the last six weeks, some Auckland doctors take the view that schools in the Auckland district should be opened immediately. They hold that exposure to disease now, when it is generally appearing only in a mild form among children, would give immunity in adult years, when its course is usually more severe.

Between February 14 and March 24 a total of 15 children under 1G years were admitted as positive cases to the hospital, and among the n there was only one case of paralysis, which was in a slight form and affected a leg The child concerned was admitted on February 10. Only six of the cases came from the Auckland area, tffe remainder being admitted from outlying districts. Since February 21 nine adults have been admitted, and four serious cases of paralysis included one death It is maintained that these figures prove that the disease affects adults much more seriously than children. The opinion is held that the authorities should take into consideration the fact that infantile paralysis is one of the diseases of childhood from which immunity is subsequently secured and that those who suffer from its severe form in adult life are those whom it did not affect as children. The panel of consultants who have been treating cases at the Auckland Hospital will meet the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. L. S. Davis) to-morrow. No new cases of infantile paralysis were reported in the Central Auckland health district to-day.

In the South Auckland district four more positive cases Avere reported. They were a girl, aged six, from Benneydale; a boy of 11 from Kopaki, a girl aged 13 months from. Ngaruawahia. and a boy aged four months from Horotiu.

THREE NEW CASES IN TARANAKI

(P.A.) . NEW PLYMOUTH, March 30. Three new positive cases of infantile paralysis were notified in the Taranaki health district to-day. They are a two-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy living at Taiporohenui, near Hawera.