Influenza Outbreak Of Epidemic Proportions

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1948, Page 2

Influenza Outbreak Of Epidemic Proportions

KAITAIA, Tue. (Sp.)* —The influenza outbreak prevalent throughout many districts of the Northland and Auckland provinces has reached epidemic proportions. This opinion comes from Far North medical practitioners who, in the past few weeks, have been inundated with cases among both children and adults.

The recent death at the Kaitaia hospital of a four-year-old girl from Awanui has been attributed to the outbreak, and warnings have been issued of posssible grave consequences should adequate precautions not be taken. v Attendance at schools was heavily depleted prior to the commencement of the second-term - holidays on Friday, and staffs of numerous Kaitaia business houses have been depleted. The outbreak is of virulent form, with varied effects ranging from the common cold to more severe internal complications. Gastritis is common, and among very young children there have been cases' of acute congestion of the respiratory system. Through the Kaitaia School, parents were warned last week not to neglect early cold symptoms. This warning has been heeded with good effect and latest reports are that the situation appears to be improving, the medical superintendent at the Kaitaia Public Hospital (Dr J. H. Webber) said yesterday.