‘Tuberculosis still alive’

Press, 9 October 1982, Page 26

‘Tuberculosis still alive’

In spite of modern chemotherapy, tuberculosis still presents a big endemic disease threat in all NewZealand communities, according to the president of the Canterbury Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Association, Mr C. A. Rattray. In his annual report to the association, Mr Rattray said that it was the centenary of the discovery of the tubercle bacillus by Robert Koch, a German scientist. “His tubercle bacillus is still very much alive and well in New Zealand.” Mr Rattray said.

“In Christchurch, morbidity and mortality rates have remained largely unchanged, with severe cases of tuberculosis, including meningitis and pneumonia, occurring even in the younger agegroups,” he said.

Two Christchurch schoolchildren were recently found to have tuberculosis. ’ "There has, however, been some fall-off in the number of tuberculosis cases coming into the country from the South Pacific and South-East Asia,” Mr Rattray said.

The high cost of intensive respiratory care had become a subject of debate in the light of the Government's sinking lid policy.

These rising costs, including such services as domiciliary oxygen therapy, had made the work of the association increasingly important, which trend was likely to continue, he said.

Funds under the control of the association in February this year amounted to $77,089. The association had an excess of income over expenditure for the year of $5346, compared with $4944 the previous year.