ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24799, 13 February 1946, Page 6

ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC

INFANTILE PARALYSIS CONTROL

STATEMENT BY MEDICAL OFFICER

“We have received many inquiries which show that the public generally is anxious to do all it can to prevent any further spread of infantile paralysis. There are, however, a few people who have tried to evade the restrictions the department has imposed, and have, not willingly followed our advice. Infantile paralysis is a serious disease, and a united effort is necessary if it is to be controlled. The defection of a few may undo the good work of the many. I recognise that the restrictions may prove irksome, but I* appeal to you all to abide by them and sacrifice your personal convenience for the public good.” This plea for co-operation was made yesterday by the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. H. Blakelock). He outlined four rules which people might follow in co-operating with the authorities. “See that all children leaving any of the affected areas by any mode of travel observe 14 days’ quarantine, that is, for the 14 days after leaving the district where infantile paralysis is present,” he said. “They must not go to school, Sunday school, to picture theatres, or other places of public entertainment, or attend any public gathering. Keep them as far as possible from mixing with other children? When there are other children in the house to which they come these restrictions should apply to them all, both to those who have travelled and to those who have not.

“Only travel between affected and non-affected areas, whether by train, bus, or private car. if the journey- is absolutely necessary. “For the time being in those areas in which schools are still open there is objection to picnics or school sports being .held, provided that no quarantined person attends, and that none of the party travels to or from or through any affected area. It is advisable that these gatherings should be kept as local as possible. Any function which draws people from a wide area would be better postponed. “It is not easy to distinguish Infantile paralysis in its early stages from other infectious diseases, so that if anyone in your family is ill and you are in doubt as to whether he or she has infantile paralysis., put the patient to bed, isolate him, and call in a doctor at once. The commonest early symptoms are fever, headache, vomiting, constipation, stiffness of the neck and spine, alternating periods of drowsiness and irritability. Not all these symptoms occur in every case. Paralysis usually comes on later, and may in some cases not appear at all.”

ANOTHER CASE IN OTAGO (P.A.) DUNEDIN. February 12. One. fresh case of infantile paralysis, that of a child, has been confirmed as positive. .