INFLUENZA OUTBREAK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18459, 24 July 1923, Page 8

INFLUENZA OUTBREAK.

TWO DEATHS AY AUCKLAND. I THIRTY-TWO CASES FOR MONTH. There were two deaths from pneumonic influenza in Auckland during , the weekend, making a total of five deaths from this causa for the present month. The notifications received by the medical officer of health at Auckland since Saturday numbered eight, three of, the cases being in the, city, three in the suburbs, and Wo in the country districts. This mak'is a total of 32 ' notifications for ' the present month.' ' V .The urgent need for care .in the case of convalescents and those still suffering from the complaint was emphasised yesterday by Dr. T. J. Hughes, the f medical officer of health at Auckland, Dr. Hughes said that in most of the cases 'where pneumonic influenza occurred the patient had returned to work before complete recovery had - been made, with the result thufc relapse had followed. The whole thing was that people should take - every precaution to keep warm and not " endeavour to take up their duties before they were really fit. It was also essential that they should be sure theif temperature was normal, before returning to work. It was -equally important that persons .'suffering from influenza should not attempt to hold out against the complaint, but go homo and take all possible car© of themselves. . " » ,

It is apparent that the complaint in its milder form is still generally prevalent, despite the sunny conditions which prevailed over the week-end. There are still 15 men of the tramway staff absent from their duties, and this resulted in a minor curtailment of _ the services yesterday moaning, about six ears having to be taken off. It was possible in the evening, by a rearrangement of the staff, to reduce this shortage; and the five o'clock rush was catered for with a shortage of three cars. > The legal _ fraternity has its share of influenza victims, and several compensation cases which were listed at the Arbitration Court yesterday for the making of fixtures were not proceeded with owing to the absence of counsel. " , The position shows very Utile improvement at the Girls' Grammar School. Howe Street, the absentees yesterday totaling 90. At the Auckland and Mount Albert Grammar, Schools yesterday there was a .marked change for the better, the attend-' ance m each case being nearly back to normal. . I . The public schools generally show a shortage at roll call, but the position here is not -of .a serious enough nature to require the closing of the schools. .

READINESS IN TIMARTJ". " ; / ' EPIDEMIC ORGANISATION. ' I [By . TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION. ■ TIMARIT, Monday. A public meeting called by. the Mayor was held this afternoon to consider taking steps to . deal with a .possible-influenza epidemic. The district health inspector | reported that seven 1 pneumonic influenza .cases had ' been" notified in Julv. with' two' deaths. An executive -was appointed to have- all details of the, former organisation in readiness against an epidemic. .; ; IMPROVEMENT IN GTAGO. SEVERAL SCHOOLS REOPENED. [by TELEGEaVH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION, j > ■, ; DUNEDIN. Monday, - The position regarding the . influenza epidemic is more favourable. ; During the past 48 hours seven cases were notified. Thirty-two members of the nursing staff at the hospital are off duty. There have been four deaths since Saturday from ■ pneumonia or pneumonia • superseding common ' influenza in the ' health* district. ' Several schools were reopened this morning, but a further eight country schools are. closed. Seven out of ten members of the public library staff are off (it-ty. HAMILTON EPIDEMIC WANING. TWO SCHOOLS RESUME ' Though there are a number of, eases' of influenza in Hamilton, chemists state that there arc indications that the epidemic is waning, and it is expected that,, with the advent of better weather, ' conditions will soon become normal. . Both the Hamilton East and Hillcrost schools, which were 1 closed on i Friday owing to the prevalence of mflueruia, roopened this morning. " . : 1 ;