SERIOUS EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20807, 25 February 1931, Page 10

SERIOUS EPIDEMIC.

THREE DEATHS OCCUR.

many children ill.

OUTBREAK AT PUKEMIRO.

GASTRIC INFLUENZA SUSPECTED. Three deaths have occurred and at least 100 people, mostly children, are affected as the result of an outbreak of what is believed to be gastric influenza in the mining town of Pukemiro. The victims are Mr. A. J. Edwards, butcher, aged 45, who died in tho Waikato Hospital at Hamilton; a boy named Hillier, aged about five years; and a girl named Tollan, ?ged about 'four years. Tho two last-named died at Pukemiro. Tlie outbreak is causing considerable anxiety at Pukemiro. The symptoms are peculiar and leave the affected persons practically helpless. The victims are mostly the children of miners employed in the locality. Dr. Patterson, medical officer to the Pukemiro Medical Association, stated last evening that it was not authoritatively certain that the malady was gastric influenza. It has been suggested that the disease has been conveyed through milk and it is understood that theory is being investigated by the Health Department. Dr. J. Boyd, medical officer of health for South Auckland, said last evening that an inspector had been sent to Pukemiro to investigate the outbreak. His opinion had not yet been received. It is reported that all the children affected attended a picnic on Sunday, and it has been suggested that ptomaine poisoning may be the cause of the widespread illness. Mr. Edgar George, acting-mayor of Huntly, Mr. George Smith, local representative on the Waikato Hospital Board, and Mr. G. Green, superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at Huntly, have made arrangements for the conveyance of serious cases from Pukemiro to the Waikato Hospital. A nurse has been despatched from Auckland to assist Dr. Patterson in tending the sufferers.