Asian Influenza “Not Worse99 Than N.Z. Type

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28323, 8 July 1957, Page 6

Asian Influenza “Not Worse 99 Than N.Z. Type

The Asian influenza epidemic appeared to be no more serious than the uspal epidemics which yearly affected New Zealanders, said the District Medical Officer of Health (Dr. A. Douglas). There had been great numbers of persons affected by the particular strain commonly called Asian influenza, but it did not seem to be serious. The suggestion that many Asians did not have balanced diet to assist resistance to the virus could be important, he said. It was now being shown that many of the persons said earlier to have died from the epidemic had not died because of the virus at all, said Dr. Douglas.

There was no need to cause alarm in New Zealand by reports which’ at times were out of all perspective to the actual problem, he said. Circular to Doctors

Dr. Douglas made these remarks when he was commenting on a circular which the Department of Health has distributed to all doctors in the Christchurch-Grey-mouth Health District. This is intended to keep them in touch with the epidemic.

The circular said it was expected that the epidemic might reach New Zealand at any time. The symptoms of the illness, the virulence, incubation period and methods of control and othei technical matters were noted.

The symptoms appeared to be the same as those given in the text-book references, it said. They were those of an acute, highly communicable disease characterised by an abrupt onset of fever, chills or chilliness, aches and pains in the back and limbs, and prostration. Respiratory symptoms included sore throat and a cough. The acute phases, the circular said, could be expected to subside in two or three days.

“.Clinical recognition depends on symptoms and the presence of an epidemic, sporadic cases being difficult to identify,” the circular said. Epidemic’s Virulence Discussing the epidemic’s virulence, the circular isaid: “It appears to be mild . *1 deaths occur among the old, the debilitated ana the undernourished.” There was no evidence of a “second wave” as in the 1918 epidemic, *’in which secondary bacterial invaders took a heavy toll,” it said.

The incubation period wap said to be usually 24 to 72 hours. Discussing the recent reports of suspected cases of Asian influenza in South Westland, the deputy Medical Officer of Health (Dr. W. I. Patterson), said that it was unlikely that the virus was the Asian type, but it would take one week for tests to be completed to ascertain this.