INFLUENZA

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1923, Page 2

INFLUENZA

DEC REASE Al AINTAIN ED.

A reassuring statement was made regarding the influenza position' by a medical man to-day, and present indications point to an early cessation of the epidemic. “There is nothing new to report,” he said. “No more cases have entered the Grey River Hospital, and those in the institution includin'' pneumonia patients are doing well. One nurse has had severe influenza for the past ten days, and five other nurses have influenza, these cases all being mild.” It is understood that arrangements are being made for voluntary workers to assist temporarily' at the Hospital. At a meeting held yesterday afternoon, attended by' the District Health Officer, representatives of the Grey Hospital Board, and public men, it was decided to set up a small committee, and make arrangements for the old Technical School, to be used as an auxiliary hospital, in case of a serious outbreak of influenza. Dr. Phillips, of the Health Department, Christchurch, who was also present, stated that a continuance of fine weather should kill the outbreak. The output of coal at Rewanui has been affected by the prevalence of influenza, and enquiries made to-day show that about 25 per cent., of the miners and staff at Rewanui are unable to attend work. The cases are all mild.

AIR. HOLLAND’S ENQUIRY. AVELLINGTON, July 23. Air Holland mentioned in the House to-night, he had been advised that last week there were more than 13U cases of influenza in the town of AAestport, and that throughout the mining districts of the AVest Coast the ou break was fairly severe The Minister for Health has piomised to make a statement on the subject to-morrow. IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND, July 23. Two deaths from pneumonic influenza occurred in the suburbs during the week-end. Eight notifications have been received in this health district for the week-end, making the months tOtal 32 ‘ TIMARU, July 23. A public meeting, called by the Alayor, was held this afternoon for the purpose of considering steps o deal with a possible influenza epidemic. The District Health Inspector reported that eight pneumonic influenza cases had been notified this month, and two deaths. The whole question of an organisation system, on Ihe lines of that employed during the last epidemic, was discussed and an executive was appointed to have all the details in readiness for inauguration at the shortest notice. DUNEDIN REPORT. DUNEDIN, July 23. The influenza position is more favourable. The notifications during the past 48 hours were seven. Thirty-two members of the nursing staff Hospital are off duty. Four deaths occurred since Saturday over the whole Health District. Several schools reopened this morning, but eight fresh country ones closed. Seven of the Public Library staff out of ten are off duty. DUNEDIN, July 24. During the last twenty-four hours, there have been thirteen notifications of pneumonic cases in Otago and Southland, and two deaths at Dunedin. DOMINION STATISTICS. WELLINGTON, July 24. The Health Department reports that cases of pneumenic influenza and pneumonia in various health districts for week ended yesterday were as follow : Auckland pneumonic influenza cases 18, deaths 7; pneumonia cases 9, deaths 1. Hawkes Bay, pneumonic influenza case 1, deaths 0; pneumonia case 1, death 0. Wanganui and Taranaki, pneumonic influenza cases 10, deaths 0 ; pneumonia cases 0, deaths 0. Wellington pneumonic influenza cases 5, deaths 2 ; pneumonia cases three, deaths two. Canterbury pneumonic influenza cases 62, deaths 7 ; pneumonia cases 5, deaths 2. Otago, pneumonic influenza cases 53, deaths 19; pneumonia cases 2, deaths 0. North Auckland reports no, cases of influenza or pneumonia for the week. The Health Department states than the figures quoted above strengthen the view that the present influenza epidemic is in no way' dissimilar from that of 1920. AUSTRALIAN OUTBIIE AK. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, July 24. Influenza is raging at Glen Innes, and the nurses are worked to a standstill and relief work is falling chiefly on the. probationers.