PLAGUE OUTBREAK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 137, 6 March 1941, Page 8

PLAGUE OUTBREAK

Epidemic Danger Over

NOUMEA, March 1

Touarouho, where the outbreak of bubonic plague occurred, is a small native mission station on the south coast of New Caledonia, about 120 kilometres from Noumea. With its neat little villages by the sea surrounded by coconut palms, it is a peaceful spot. Here the natives tended their crops, fished, and generally lived the lives of contented beings. Now, however, tragedy has come to Touarouho.

Young Hortense was on her way to work in the mission fields with some friends when on the route she spied a dead rat. The child, for she was only 13 years, picked it up and threw it playfully toward the group of “copines.” The gesture cost her dearly, for eight days later she died. Tests of the dead girl’s blood were made at Noumea, and the alarming discovery was made that she had died of bubonic “black” plague. In a few days the malady had claimed six victims, and five of them died. All were young native girls between the ages of seven and 14.

Prompt measures to combat the malady were taken by the authorities. A military doctor was sent to aid the regular doctor and patrols of soldiers, by guarding the roads leading to the south coast districts, effectively isolated the affected locality. All shipping to the south coast centres of New Caledonia was forbidden. Affected "native huts have all been burnt and natives in the locality have been vaccinated. As a precautionary measure extra supplies of vaccines and serums were ordered by radio from Australia. All danger of an epidemic lias passed. In Noumea the people have begun to realize what a danger a ratridden town is. Relentless wai has been declared on the rats. By radio. Press, and screen the people are being urged to combat the menace. As a result, the laboratory of the Noumean Hospital reports that in four days 510 rats were received for examination. So far no signs of plague have been found on them. As a result, Noumea is likely to become a cleaner town.