SEVERE INFLUENZA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 200, 17 August 1921, Page 5

SEVERE INFLUENZA.

OUTBREAK ON SHIPS. TWO DEATHS OCCUR. Christchurch, August 16. An outbreak of influenza in a severe form has occurred on some of the vessels at Lyttelton, and there have been at least two deaths. At the beginning of the month it was necessary to remove some of the crew of the Maori to hospital, and one man. a fireman, died and was buried in Lyttelton. The chief cook of the Waimarino died on Saturday in the Christchurch Hospital | after contracting influenza. Some of the crew of the Mararoa have been sent, ashore. They appear to be suffering > from severe colds. As yet there is no spread of influenza amongst the residents at Lyttelton, j The disease is also not prevalent, except in a mild form, in Christchurch. HEALTH DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT Wellington. August 16. On the above being submitted to the Director of Health, Dr. Valintine. by, a “Times” reporter, he said: “I think' it is an unnecessarily alarming tele-' gram. 1 have, been in communication with the medical officer in Christchurch with regard to these cases on the Maori and Mararoa. The two boats have been under surveillance b> the Health Department for the r few days, but so far no 4 €a ths have been reported. From information from other parts of the Dominion there i no reason for alarm. Pneumonia deaths always are an indication, and they are lower than .they were last week. We are keeping the matter very closely watched, as you may easily imagine. Though we have these cable reports that influenza in raging in Sydney ,we have no information from the Sydney health authorities that there is any cause for alarm. We have got ple.ity of vaccine. It is available at various hospitals, but from reports from the Board of Health in the United Kingdom, we do not feel justified in actually recommending the public to submit to vaccination, though the vaccine is there for those who want it.” Influenza has made its appearance again in Hastings, and though it is thought its effects wil be wide, the form of the malady is not serious ar present.