ALL SCHOOLS TO CLOSE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22066, 14 April 1937, Page 10

ALL SCHOOLS TO CLOSE

♦ EPIDEMIC PRECAUTIONS IN WELLINGTON

THIRTEEN CASES THIS MONTH

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEaHAM.) WELLINGTON, April 13. In a statement on the infantile paralysis epidemic, the Minister for Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) said that in addition to the closing of primary schools in Wellington, as announced yesterday, all post-primary schools in Wellington and all primary and postprimary schools in the Hutt Valley district should be closed until further notice. The Minister added that the measure was a precautionary one and the position was not regarded as serious.

He had received a statement from the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt), showing the following cases in Wellington since December:—December, one; January, two; February, one; March, two; April, 13. "It will be seen from these figures," said Mr Fraser, "that the present month has shown an increase in the incidence of disease. The cases, fortunately, are of a comparatively minor nature. There have been no deaths. Only eight of the cases have shown any paralysis whatever, and of these eight only half, or even less, are to be regarded as serious.

"The present epidemic, which had an explosive onset in Dunedin in December, has since pursued a comparatively mild course. Certain districts, particularly Invercargill, South Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, and the Hauraki Plains, have experienced the epidemic in a smaller degree than Dunedin. and in each there has been a fairly rapid response to precautionary measures, and the position is now regarded as satisfactory." Details of a scheme for carrying on the work of primary schools in the Wellington district during the period the schools are closed are being worked out by the Education Board, together with representatives of teachers. The secretary of the board said to-day that the scheme would entail the transmission of lessons through newspapers and by broadcasting, and efforts were being made to have it inaugurated as soon as ppssible. The National Broadcasting Service had already agreed to allot the period from 9.30 to 10.30 each morning, and wa prepared to start as soon as the board had the details arranged. The newspapers were to be asked for cooperation in arranging the free publication of assignments. The work done by pupils will be posted to the head teachers of schools. AH such mail is to be posted without stamps. The postage will be debited to the board by the Post and Telegraph Department.

EPIDEMIC SPREADS TO DANNEVIRKE AREA

TWO PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL

(FHESB ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DANNEVIRKE, April 13. Two cases of infantile paralysis, the first in southern Hawke's Bay, have been reported in this district, one from Dannevirke and the other from Terehunga, about eight miles away. The former was admitted to the hospital as a suspect on Sunday, and has now been diagnosed as positive. The latter was admitted yesterday afternoon. Both are mild cases, the legs being slightly affected. Both are girls, one aged six and the other 12.

The Dannevirke South and Terehunga primary schools are both closed.

TWO CASES IN TARANAKI

(PBESS ASSOCIATION IELEGBAU.} NEW PLYMOUTH, April 13. Two cases of infantile paralysis were reported in Taranaki to-day. A Maori boy, aged two, was admitted to the New Plymouth Hospital with slight paralysis of the face. A boy, a?ed 10, was admitted to the Hawera Hospital from Eltham.

The Eltham primary schools have been closed.

DEATH AT GREYMOUTH

MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL [THE PRESS Special Service.] GREYMOUTH, April 13. A married man, aged 35, living at Te Kinga, died in the Grey Hospital to-night from infantile paralysis an hour after admission. He had paralysis in both legs.

CHILD ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL

[THE PRESS Special Service] GREYMOUTH, April 13. A boy, aged four, of Cobden, was admitted to the Grey Hospital to-day suffering from mild paralysis of the right leg. He had been ill for about 10 days. Two cases have been discharged from the isolation ward, leaving two in isolation.