INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 13

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

First Case Reported at Napier

SCHOOLS CLOSED AND FESTIVAL POSTPONED Dominion Special Service. Napier, March 24. The first case of infantile paralysis in Napier was reported to-day. The victim is a two-year-old boy. As an additional precaution against the spread of the epidemic, all schools in and around Napier were closed today, following representations made to the Education Department and the Health Department by the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, Mr. G. A. Maddison. The following schools have been closed and will not reopen earlier than April 5: Napier Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, Napier town schools, and Taradale, Meeanee, Pakowhai, Fernhill and Puketapu schools. Should it be found necessary to close the schools for a further period an announcement regarding lessons will be made.

Following advice received to-day from the Health Department, the Napier Competitions Society’s Easter festival has been postponed until a later date. Late last evening Mr. S. P. Spiller, secretary of the society, received word from the department that the festival “should be postponed.” On communicating with the department to-day, however, he was told that the festival must be postponed and that the society had no option in the matter. It is unfortunate for those competitors who have arrived from various parts of the North Island to participate, and it is probably too late to warn most outsiders who have long distances to travel.

NINTH CASE REPORTED AT HASTINGS

Concern Over Lack of Rubbish Receptacles Dominion Special Service. Hastings, March 24. A further case of infantile paralysis during the 24 hours ended at noon today was reported to the health authorities at Hastings, bringing the total of cases in the town and district to nine. The victim, who is a contact of one of the cases reported earlier in the week, is a three-year-old girl living in Ellison Road, Hastings.

In spite of the repeated appeals of the council and health officers of Hastings not more than half the people have receptacles for rubbish which conform with tlie borough by-laws and the requirements of health regulations. Concern at the failure of such a large section of the public to take the necessary steps was expressed to-day by the mayor, Mr. G. A. Maddison. “In view of the alarming spread of the dreaded infantile paralysis epidemic in Hastings it is absolutely urgent and essential to the safety of the people that every possible means should be taken to keep the town in a healthy condition,” said Mr. Maddison. “I appreciate the fact that in certain cases the purchase of the regulation receptacle may entail hardship, but I think it far bettor that some sacrifice should be made than that neglect should be the cause of the illness or even death of a single person.” Mr. Maddison added that with hot weather accentuating the breeding of flies—pests which are recognised as the greatest disease carriers of all—every precaution should be taken. The menace was recognised by the Auckland City Council, which was conducting a house-to-house inspection as part of a general clean-up, and everybody was being compelled to comply' with city by-laws in the matter of rubbish receptacles. TWO CANTERBURY CASES By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, March 24. A further case of infantile paralysis in the city, a girl aged live, was notified to-day. A case of a boy aged nine was also notified from Pleasant Point, near Timaru. CASE AT GREYMOUTH By Telegraph—Press Association. Greyinouth, March 24. A boy of eight years.was admitted to the Grey Hospital this morning as a positive case of infantile paralysis.

He has slight paralysis of the left leg. Schools in the Greymouth district closed to-day. SHANNON SCHOOL CLOSED As a case of infantile paralysis has been reported from Shannon, tlie Wellington Education Board has directed that tlie Shannon School be closed immediately, and that secondary school pupils from Shannon who are attending the Levin District High School be excluded as from yesterday.

This decision was made on tlie advice of the Health Department. The date of tlie reopening of the Shannon School will be determined later.