INFLUENZA IN EUROPE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 16

INFLUENZA IN EUROPE

Staffing Crisis In Hospitals

(N.Z. Press Association—Copvrtohti LONDON, February 16. The wave in influenze sweeping across Britain reached a new climax today and brought, staffing crises to tnatiy hospitals. Nurses, doctors, end other workers were stricken by the illness in many parts of the country, particularly in Scotland. Red Cross volunteers were moving in to replace ailing hospital staff. Glasgow was particularly badly hit, and more than 1000 voluntary workers had been enlisted for work at city hospitals by tonight. . . It was announced today that influenza deaths rose to 144 in England and Wales in the week ended February 7, compared with 54 in the previous week. But hospitals were not the only institutions affected. Schools were being closed, court hearings adjourned, and thousands of businesses running understaffed. Bulgaria And Poland The American Associated Press reported from Vienna -Jhat an influenza epidemic had broken out in Bulgaria and Poland. According to a Polish news agency report in Sofia and other Bulgarian cities up to 50 per cent, of Government officials were down with influenza and many schools were closed.