THE ’FLU SCARE.

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1922, Page 2

THE ’FLU SCARE.

PARR’S REPLY. A REASSURING STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, October 12. The Minister of Health, interviewed regarding the reported cases of inilucniza aboard the Chatham, said that when lie was advised by tne Minister of Defence that the vessel was approaching Auckland with a few cases of influenza, showing pneumonic symptoms, he instructed Dr. Pre u gley that Dr Hughes. Medical Ollicer of Health at Auckland, should proceed with lae Port Health Officer, Dr. JShaiinau, to the ship and report to Wellington. 1 Mr Parr added: J. have directed that, under no circumstances was the Chatham to be granted pratique without reference to myself and the head of the Health Department. Dr. Hughes telephoned at 10 o’clock last night, that he had examined the ship amt there were some cases of influenza with pulmonary symptoms, although not. severe. 1 have directed the ship to be sent to Motuihi quarantine station, ■where it will be detained till a clean bill of health is produced. The Minister of Health added that pneumonic influenza is a. notifiablu disease. At the present time, the position is rather better than normal. Indeed the figures made it clear that the present year compares more favourably with preceding years. The Department has no information of any recrudescence of the epidemic in Australia, but the Minister is asking for the latest information from Australia. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the cases are spread pretty evenly, the Wellington district having rather more cases than the Auckland district, while Canterbury has about half tne number of cases in the Wellington district.