INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 12

INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

LARGE INCREASE IN APRIL.

SCARLET FEVER PREVALENT

AUCKLAND DISTRICT CASES.

The total of 493 cases of infectious diseases notified to the Health Department in tho Auckland Province in April is one of the highest for many months and represents an increaso of 217, compared with the preceding month. Tho increase is accounted for by the exceptionally large number of cases of scarlet fever, dysentery and diphtheria reported from both tho Central and South Auckland districts.

Dysentery cases during April totalled 185, and these were confined to tho Central and South Auckland areas, the figures being 59 and 126 respectively. Tho figures in March were 52 and in February 27. Tho majority of tho cases occurred .in Maori communities, those being more numerous in the southern district. Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health in Auckland, stated last evening that the outbreak was on the wane, only a; fow casos occurring now from time to timo. Although the diphtheria cases wero numerous, totalling 72, as against 37 in March, there was nothing in tho nature of an epidemic at present. Scarlet fever is shown to be prevalent by the month's figures, tho number of cases in the central district being 59, in Soirih Auckland 34, in North Auckland 16, and in the Thames-Tauranga district 21, a total of 130, compared with 65 in March and February. Dr. Hughes stated tho disease was still on the increase and the numbers were going up all over tho Dominion. It was some years since there had been any epidemic, tho last big outbreak of scarlet fever being in 1916.

Pneumonic influenza is still on the decline. Only five cases were reported in the whole of the province, three being in the central district. The distribution of the cases according to the districts is as follows, the figures for the previous month being given in parentheses:—North Auckland, 39 (28); Central Auckland, 214 (152); South Auckland, 200 (74); Thames-Tauranga, 40 (22). Following are the details of the cases;— Scarlet fever, 150 ( 65); dysentery, 185 (52); diphtheria, 72 ( 37); tuberculosis, 35 (32).; pneumonia, 15 (20); enteric fever, 16 (20); erysipelas, 10 (11); puerperal fever, 14 (15); poliomyelitis, 5 (4); eliomyelitis, 1 ( —); pneumonic influenza, 5 (3); tetanus, 1 (1); food poisoning, 1 (3); trachoma, 1 ( —); eclampsia, 1 (1); ophalmia neonatorum, 1 (1); hydatids,