DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 18

DIPHTHERIA EPIDEMIC

IN UPPER HUTT

NOW ON THE WANE'

The opinion that the epidemic of dipththeria in the Upper Hutt Borough is now definitely on the wane was expressed by councillors at last night's meeting of the Upper'Hutt Borough Council. The source of the epidemic has not yet been discovered.

A letter from the Department of Health was read to the council. The letter, which was in reply to a communication from the council, expressed concern at the outbreak, and stated that there had been forty cases, with three deaths, between February and June. Swabbing had proved an inadequate weapon.

Of thirty-four persons affected' in Upper Hutt, one was an adult, twelve were children under school age, and the remaining twenty-one cases involved sixteen classes in five different schools. It was evident, therefore, that the infection was very widespread, and there was nothing pointing to the existence of any persistent carriels. Under those conditions, swabbing would be a waste of time and effort.

The only effective way was by the systematic immunisation of all children, which the Department was already doing. The thoroughness of this depended entirely on the extent to which parents would allow their children to be protected. Immunisation would not stamp out the infection which caused the disease, however, and every unprotected person would still be liable to contract it. Further instructions were being forwarded to the inspector regarding the thorough disinfection to be carried out in evex*y house in which a case had occurred. Councillor Purvis mentioned a serious ease of overcrowding and bad sanitation, which he described as a "death* trap." DISAPPOINTMENT EXPRESSED. "The matter has been gone into quite thoroughly in the borough," said CounIcillor C. A. Rendle, "but so far the Health Department has failed to placa evidence as to danger spots before the council. I was wondering whether n possible investigation by Health Department officials would reveal anything. Doctors have paid three visits to the local schools, and have given treatment. It looks now as if the diphtheria epidemic has been wiped out. There are very few cases in the district now. » . "At the same time, I, as a council- ; lor am deeply disappointed that the J Health Department has been unable to j reveal the source. We hear all sorts lof things. Some blame the water, others the drainage. We have had the benefit of so-called expert opinion. Nevertheless, it is a regrettable fact Uhat we have not been able to locate anything." . Mr. Blewman, the Mayor, pointed out I that Upper Hutt was not isolated in regard to the matter, as cases had occurred in Petone and Lower Hutt. It seemed to be a seasonable ailment, which he was pleased to see on the wane An officer of the; Health Department should carry out the duties of fumigation now devolving on the borough inspector. He could with his specialised knowledge, do better than the inspector, and could also investigate regarding sources Councillor Purvis said that the perI centage of diphtheria cases was not out |of proportion with .those of other districts It was the inspector's duty to carry out the Health Department's instructions and every facility, regardless of cost, should be offered him. | The matter was left in the hands of the public services committee and Councillor Purvis.