SMALLPOX CHECK

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29722, 16 January 1962, Page 13

SMALLPOX CHECK

Precautions In New Zealand

As a precaution against smallpox, surveillance cards are being issued to air travellers arriving in New Zealand from or through Pakistan. An outbreak of the disease in Karachi has claimed more than 250 lives, and New Zealand’s precautions are in line with those being taken in countries tlmughout the world. The cards instruct those receiving them to report to a medical practitioner if there is any sign of illness within 14 days of arrival Usually, the first symptom of smallpox is a rash very similar to that of chicken-oox.

No special check Is being made on' nersons arriving by sea. as the chances of the disease arriving in this way are considered to be nil bemuse of the travelling time. Under normal regulations, the master of a ship must report any rtckn»ss on board to the oort health officer. In Ch-iaWhurch. preparations for quarantining a smallpox case or suspect are now complete. The quarantine station is in the Middle ‘Sanatorium building at the Cashmere Sanatorium. Vaccin'ted medics’ and nursing staff of the North Canterbury Hospital Board are ready to move in at a moment’s notice to cooe with the situation. Once in quarantine, the staff as well as the oatients would be completely isolated until the danger was over.

Where a traveller became «iek with suspected smallpox, his contacts would be checked to see that they had been vaccinated against the disease within! the preceding 'hree years. If they had not. they would be asked to accent vaccination, and if they refused they would be quarantined

Accordins to the district medical officer of health (Dr. L. F. Jepson) there is no need for general vaccination in New Zealand because of the satisfactory precautions being taken against the entry of the disease.

When you rise in the morning, farm a resolution to make the day a happy one to a fellow-creature’.—Sydney Smith.