INFLUENZA POSITION

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 116, 13 November 1919, Page 7

INFLUENZA POSITION

NO NEED FOR ALARM.

"The influenza position is quite reassuring,'.' said the District Health .Officer (Dr; IU. H. Watt), when questioned upon the subject yesterday. "There is no need for the public to becomo alarmed. Of course, there may be some cases of which the Department has not been notified, but I think we are being notified of all the severe cases that are occurring, and we are certainly being informed of most of the cases that are coming under medical attention. The evidence at our disposal points to the position being well in hand, and it does out look as if there will bo a recrudescence of the 1918 epidemic this year. As regards the disease itself, influenza is still notifiablo, and every medical man is supposed to report cases* that come under his notico." Dr. Watt added that thefigures fov the whole of tho. Dominion from week to week showed that influenza cases were remaining at a low level— about 50 or 60 cases per weak. A week ago some 90. cases were reported, but the figures really did not fluctuate very much. There was nothing' in the nature of any widespread epidemic in any part. In the Wellington Public Health District the cases were well distributed, and there was not an undue number in any ont> town. "We are keeping a close watch on the position," said Dr. Watt,' "and I still advise the public to be careful. The people should not relax their precautions in any way." ;