Influenza “Rampant”

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 12

Influenza “Rampant”

Christchurch general practitioners taking part in the Canterbury Faculty of the College of G.P.S' continuing survey of illnesses recorded more than twice as many cases of respiratory viral infection in the four weeks up to August 3 than they did in the preceding four weeks. They reported 710 cases, winch was an increase of 376 < on the previous period.

The respiratory influenza causing the rise in numbers was said to be severe, affecting all ages and lasting up to seven days.

“It is mostly accompanied.” the report said, “by pyrexia, myalgia, headaches, chest pains, and general symptoms of cold and misery. Further; frequent complications are secondary infections of the! lungs and throat, with pneumonia being particularly com-: mon.

“Many of the people who; are being caught by the present virus have previously • been vaccinated against Hong. Kong flu, and it is reported that the present epidemic of influenza is spreading among, those who have had the vaccine apparently as readily as those who have not been vaccinated. The influenza (not Hong Kong flu) is variously reported to be "widespread,’ ‘rampant’ and ‘increasing’.”