INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 157, 31 March 1937, Page 12

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Further Cases From Paeroa District FIVE IN FEW DAYS By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 30. Two new postive cases of infantile paralysis were admitted to the Thames hospital to-day, and diagnosis ot three suspected cases which were admitted for observation during the week-end revealed that they, too, were positive. All the new cases are children who live in tlie Paeroa district, and up to the present eight cases which have been proved positive have been reported from that district. None of tlie cases is serious.

The -Medical Officer of Health, Dr. lluglies, said that although there was no suggestion of an epidemic, tlie situation was being watched closely r.nil schools in the affected area bad been closed for -a fortnight.

ELEVEN CASES NOW IN NAPIER HOSPITAL

Many Schools Still Closed

Dominion Special Service.

Napier, March 30.

Au eight-year-old girl living at Burnett Street, Hastings, and a nine-year-old boy from Maraekakaho were reported as positive cases of infantile paralysis during the holiday period, bringing the total number of positive cases in Napier Hospital to eleven, in addition, a suspected case, a 12-ycar-old boy, has been reported from Carlyle Street, Napier. Dr. J. J. Foley, superintendent, of the Napier Hospital, reported to-day that all the positive eases were progressing favourably and there was no need for undue alarm. He repeated his previous warnings against children going out in hot sunshine without bats. “The germ of infantile paralysis appears to find an entry through tlie throat and nose,” he said. “Parents should see that children got plenty of fresh air, but they should by no means lie allowed to congregate.” Notification has been given by the Hawke’s Bay Education Board that as a result of communication with the Health Department to-day it has been decided to postpone the opening of certain additional schools until next Monday. In order to dispose of rumours that other schools will not reopen until Monday, tlie board advises that the only schools whose opening is postponed until April 5 are as follows: Napier town schools, Hastings town schools, Meeauec. Taradale, Greenmeadows, Westshore, Pakowhai, Clive, Havelock North, Clive Grange. Paki Paki, Twyford, Fernhill, Maraekakaho. Wairoa, Frasertown Kopuawhara, Bartletts and Porangahau. Teachers of all schools arc to assemble to-morrow, however, and the Health Department will advise during the course of the ul'xt few days whether Napier and Hastings' schools will reopen next Monday or whether there will be a further postponement. In the event of the schools at Napier not reopening on that date it is proposed to arrange some form of instruction similar to that now being employed in Hastings. GREYMOUTH PRECAUTIONS By Telegraph—Press Association. Greynioutli, March 30. Although there have been no further cases of infantile paralysis, tlie Greymouth health authorities this evening issued instructions for all schools in the Greymouth borough to remain closed till Monday. The restriction imposed on children under the age of 16 attending entertainments has also been extended to Monday.

SECOND FATAL CASE AT WAIROA

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wairoa. -March 30. Tlie second death from infantile paralysis in tlie district occurred at the Wairoa Hospital to-day, the victim being a married man, aged 26, from tlie railway camp at. Kotuawhara, who was admitted on Saturday. A definite case, a boy of 15, was admitted to the hospital during the week-end. The case is a positive one from Frasertown. There have now been three cases iu the county, but none in the borough, two having been fatal.