OUTBREAK OF PARALYSIS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25363, 10 December 1947, Page 8

OUTBREAK OF PARALYSIS

NO CANTERBURY CASES TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS CANCELLED No cases of infantile paralysis have been reported in the Canterbury-West Coast health district. Precautions against the spread of the disease, announced on Monday, took xull effect yesterday, and the only additional directions issued by the Department oi Health at Christchurch are the inclusion of the main beach at Akaroa and the inner harbour at Lyttelton in the list of places at which it is inaavisable to bathe. Theatre managers reported yesterday that very few children had attempted to gain admission to their theatres. Milk bars had far fewer children among their customers. The Assistant-Medical Officer of Health (Dr. D. P. Kennedy) said yesterday that he wished to make it clear that while it was illegal for children under ,16 to be congregated, there was no restriction on adults. However, it was definitely inadvisable for unnecessary gatherings to be held, and persons contemplating functions should ask themselves if they were really necessary. Inquiries received by “The Press” about the difference between negative and positive cases were referred to Dr. Kennedy, who said that the impression that a negative case was some less virulent form of infantile paralysis was quite wrong. When a case was reported as a suspect, it was a case which might be infantile paralysis, and required special laboratory investigations. When the case was reported as negative, it meant that the case had been admitted for investigation, and had turned out to be something other than infantile paralysis—some other condition of which the early symptoms were similar to those of infantile paralysis. Travel Cancellations

Both the Christchurch office of the Tourist and Publicity Department and the railway booking office were kept busy yesterday cancelling arrangements for holiday travel. Mr W. A. Pickford, manager of the tourist office, said that so far about £llOO had been refunded, the tours of several large parties being among the reservations cancelled. Further cancellations were expected. There was a steady stream of cancellations at the railway office throughout the day. An officer of the department said that there had also been a fairly keen demand from persons who wished to get away on their holidays before any travel restrictions were imposed. Cancellations, and further inquiries from those who realised that berths would become available, have been received for accommodation on the steamer express. Further Precautions Further precautions against the spread of the disease include the spraying of the National Airways Corporation’s aircraft with disinfectant before leaving the Mangere and Whenuapai aerodromes. The employment of children in jobs liable to bring them, into contact with the public was absolutely prohibited, said the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. J. H. Blakelock, yesterday. The employment of children in food-handling establishments was inadvisable.

The District Vocational Guidance Officer, Mr G. C. Brookes, said yesterday that many inquiries for jobs had been received from young persons. His department was taking all precautions, and an appointment system was used to prevent manv children being in the centre at one time. The secretary of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr R. T. Alston) said that very few children under 16 Were employed in factories in Christchurch at present. As most factories were closing down over the Christmas period, the employment of boys or girls would not arise. The North Canterbury Hospital Board advised yesterday that to prevent children congregating at the hospital, there would be no more tonsil operations after Saturday.

PARTIES AND BREAK-UPS CANCELLED The Christmas parties for patients at the Cashmere Sanatorium, which were to have been held to-day and on Saturday, have been cancelled as a precaution against the spread of infantile paralysis, and the cancellation of many other functions has been announced. Among the gatherings which have been cancelled are the break-up social of the Y.M.CA.. ambulance cadets, the picnic for children of deceased and disabled servicemen arranged by the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association and the Christmas party arranged by the Belfast sub-branch of the association. The Oak of Sydenham Lodge of the United Ancient Order of Druids has abandoned its children’s party, and postponed the opening of the new’ oak leaf junior lodge. The Y.M.C.A. boys’ camp at Wainui will not be held, and the annual camp of the St. Christopher’s Boys* Club will probably be cancelled.