TYPHOID OUTBREAK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 91, 18 April 1922, Page 5

TYPHOID OUTBREAK.

IN MOUNT ALBERT DISTRICT. AN EPIDEMIC FEARED. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES INSTITUTED. According to the health authorities there is every symptom of a sharp epidemic in connection with the outbreak of typhoid in the Mount Albert district, and Dr. Hughes, of the Department of Public Health, in the course of a statement this morning, remarked that he believed that a good many additional cases would be .notified during the next week or so. To date twenty-nine cases have been reported. The cases are widely distributed throughout the district, and the indications, he said, pointed to the water supply being the cause of infection. "There is every indication that there will be a sharp epidemic, and I wish to say that there is cause for alarm, as the outbreak is quite serious," said Dr. Hughes. "We can expect a good many : more cases during the next week or so. The incubation period is from twelve to fourteen days. People might be infected at the present time and not know it; it would not show for a while. Precaution must be rigorously maintained, as it is l only by these methods that an epidemic can be combated."

The Department was doing its best to deal with the outbreak by every meana in its power, but the doctor emphasised the fact that the residents in the vicinity must do their part by taking every possible preventive measure, particularly the boiling of water and milk, and the protection of all foodstuffs from flies. - 'Ihe access of flies to the pan privies should also be strongly combated, and strong antiseptics should also be used in' this connection. With reference to this measure he instanced fresh chloride of lime or a fresh solution. Cleanliness, both personal and household, was' most essential.

Dr. Hughes remarked in connection with the water supply that the Mount Albert Borough Council and tbe local authorities had given the Departmental" officers every assistance. They had promptly carried out suggestions and had generally given their support to all precautionary measures rendered necessary.

"The source of infection is not the milk supply," concluded the doctor. "It points to the water supply. The last analysis of water was not at all satisfactory." The fact that the majority of cases had occurred in the higher parts of the district pointed conclusively to the water supply being the cause of infection. The Mount Albert water supply is obtained from springs in the rocks near the auxiliary hospital at Point Chevalier. It is pumped into the reservoir on Mount Albert before entering the distributing mains. The borough officials,have taken all measures necessary to flush the mains and have treated the reservoir with chloride of lime. A STATEMENT REPUTED. PROTEST BT MAYOR. EVERY PRECAUTION TAKEN. The Mayor of Mount Albert (Mr. A. P. Bennett), in the course of a statement to a reporter this morning, strongly resented the imputation that his council bad been running a risk of using a water supply obviously liable to contamination. That was not the case, he said, as the council had exercised continual vigilance over the supply, and had taken every precaution, taking their cue from the officials of the Public Health Department. On December 5 Dr. Hughes wrote advising the council to treat the water supply by sterilisation.' The Mayor immediately conferred with Dr. Hughes, and as the result the council ■ had a chlorinating plant installed, which had been in constant use ever since. "The water in the reservoir was also chlorinated. I know it was done," continued Mr. Bennett. "And that has been continued right up to the present time. On Decemher 21 an analysis was n»de by the Health Department which showed that as the result of chlorination the bacteria coli was absent in 50 c c, which Dr McKibbin stated was satisfactory. "This shows distinctly that we did not forget about the water, as hag been imputed. We have been most careful indeed as regards the water supply, and 'have carried out all the recommendations of the Health Department as expeditiously as possible."

Last -Thursday evening Mr. Bennett was informed that a recent analysis of the water was not satisfactory, and immediately the pumping of water was stopped. All dead ends of mains were flushed and the reservoir was also further chlorinated. It was not the intention of the council to pump any wore water until the condition of the water was believed to be satisfactory. "Dr. Gilmour will make a further analysis to-morrow, which we are a waiting with considerable interest," concluded Che Mayor. "If the water lias been seriously contaminated—l am not prepared to say that it has—it has been because of the recent heavy rains. That is the reason. However, we want further evidence that the water has been the cause of the trouble."

He 'added that the Mount Aloirt Council had taken exactly the same precautionary measures as the City Council had taken in connection with the Western Springs supply. "We felt quite safe in using the water after clorinisation, and I would also like to say that we have kept a.very watchful eye on the water supply generally, and have always acted immediately on the advice of the Public Health", Department. It should be borne in mind," added Mr. Bennett, "that there are other possible causes for the outbreak, such as I milk supply, defective drainage, etc."

ACTIVITY IN SANITATION.

CITY'S PNREI-A-CEP EFFORTS. A FURTHER APPEAL TO CITIZENS. "The outbreak of typhoid within The metropolitan area," said the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, this morning, "is a warning to all local authorities and those in any way responsible for the control and supervision of public health matters, that the utmost vigilance and constant care should be exercised. The Council's staff throughout has again been directed to exercise the greatest activity in connection with sanitary and public health matters. We are glad to say that the condition of the city at the present time —a condition confirmed by both Dr. Frengley and Dr. Hughes, i 3 satisfactory-, if compared with the past. But there is still* very..great deal to be dune in tranriqg tLj |übLtO

and in the enforcement of conditions which should be. the accompaniment of a modern city. The Council will not relax its efforts, but will enforce greater stringency in its requirements with the view of protecting the public health. The sanitary requirements of the city have been repeatedly laid down in the matter of garbage and the condition of premises, but householders and occupiers are again requested to give their fullest co-operation to the corporation officials. The rubbish tips recently closed down will not be reopened, and those kept open will be closely and effectively controlled. Rat poison will still be distributed free from the office of the chief sanitary inspector to all ratepayers and occupiers of premises in the city. In view of the conditions in Australia there is still necessity for active work, and the ratepayers and others concerned in the city are asked to continue the poisoning campaign. From time to time it has been suggested that the city should supply residents in other districts, but this is impossible. All such must look to their own local authorities for these facilities. We have every reason to believe that appeals will not be in-vain, as the importance of this mailer is everywhere realised.'