SMALLPOX CASE

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1936, Page 12

SMALLPOX CASE

On N.Z. Liner VACCINATIONS ON BOARD. (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 22. A message from a passenger aboard the steamer Mataroa now at Panama, on the way to New Zealand, states the vessel’s passengers wore unable to land at Curacao or Jamaica, owing to the diagnosis of smallpox by the port authorities in a passenger returning to New Zealand. The man became ill soou after sailing. It is supposed to be chickenpox, but rigid isolation of the family and the vaccination of contacts .was enforced. British authorities wirelessed that there was no smallpox during 'he past year in England. Nevertheless a notice was posted at Curarao urging vaccination, aud a second notice, at Jamaica that the New Zealand authorities insisted on vaccination. The majority of the passengers and all the crew have been vaccinated, Passengers were permitted to land at Panama, but a Panama paper described the case as mild smallpox. The patient’s quarantine expires on Tuesday. All are well on board, and very cheerful, thanks to the excellent work of the captain and the officers to mitigate the disappointment and provide entertainment.