Preventing Influenza

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 118, 14 February 1944, Page 4

Preventing Influenza

Sir, —We had received hews that influenza was prevalent in. England and on the Continent. We may be certain that, sooner or later during this war, it will visit this Dominion and there is ’ quite a chance that it will assume a virulent form. But people still spit on the floors of picture theatres and other halls in which the public congregate; the pavements in several towns are, I am informed, frequently bespattered; in many shops such food as cakes is exposed on counters between saleswomen and a crowd of purchasers who talk, laugh, cough, and. sneeze on the food so exposed. The hygiene and ventilation of our places of public amusement, of our trains and of recreation halls in our militarycamps need a critical overhaul. " The hygiene of restaurants and cafeterias often leaves much to be desired in regard to the washing of dishes. There are many other gross hygienic errors in our social life. If the prevention of influenza is to be practised only after influenza has arrived here, it is essential that we prepare for its arrival at least as thoroughly as we did for the possible arrival of the Japanese bombers. This involves an education of the public in habits that will prevent or minimize the spread of infection of ordinary colds and sore throats, as well as certain departmental and local administrative measures, now. If these things were done in a campaign' against sore throats and colds now, a great diminution in medical expenses together with a great reduction in absenteeism from, work through ill health could be achieved. The policy of the Health Department would seem to be to wait till influenza appears or develops in New Zealand before any steps are taken to cope with the danger.' Now is the time to prepare by conducting a campaign against ordinary colds and sore throats.—l am, etc., M.D. Dunedin, February 10.