SCARLATINA OUTBREAK.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 122, 9 May 1911, Page 5

SCARLATINA OUTBREAK.

SANITARY INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday. Mr. F. B. Gardner reported as follows : —

‘‘l have the honour to present herewith my report on the wmrk done within the district to which I have been appointed by your board, for the period ending 29th April. ■‘The whole of my time since I took up the duties in this district has been occupied in dealing with the outbreak of scarlet fever in the Hastings Borough. When I took up the w’ork the disease had obtained a good hold in Hastings. Up to date I have know-ledge of 45 families within the borough affected. There has been little or no attempt made in nearly every case at proper isolation, and in many cases no precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

“ As the disease was spreading owing to the want of precautionary measures being taken, the schools have been closed, and will be effectually disinfected prior to reopening.

“ I am also making a house-to-house inspection of all the cases at present known, and giving the occupants instructions as to the precautionary measures to be observed. Chief amongst these is the necessity for effective disinfection after the recovery of the sick, and before the occupants resume their ordinary methods of life. “ I have made arrangements by which I should be notified when it will be advisable that such disinfection shall be carried out, and will where notified attend to this personally. “When the schools re-open, I beg to suggest that much might be done towards preventing the further spread of the sickness were a medical inspection of all the children made prior to their admission to the school on opening day. Tins would probably prevent any child resuming attendance at school who through ignorance or carelessness on the part of parents might otherwise be sent back suffering from, or imperfectly recovered from, the disease.

“ As there is little or no other urgent work in any other part of the district, I shall for the present devote the greater part of my time to dealing with this outbreak.” Considerable discussion took place on the question as to what powers the board had to cope with the scarlatina outbreak in Hastings and Napier. Doubt exists as to how the board could enforce sanitary regulations and secure isolation.

It was eventually agreed to empower the chairman to look into the matter and see what powers could be delegated.