OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20911, 29 June 1931, Page 8

OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA.

RECENT CASES AT OTAHUHU. REASSURING STATEMENT. Considerable anxiety has existed among parents of children attending the Otahuhu school during the past ten days on account of the many rumours that there was &n epidemic of diphtheria at the school, and that it had originated from the drinking fountain used by the children. However, the chairman of the committee, Mr. C. R. Petrie, definitely states that there is no cause for anxiety. " The school committee has been in close touch with the borough inspector and the medical officer of health and we •learn from them that they have located a 'carrier,' " said Mr. Petrie yesterday. There was no ground for the rumour that the drinking fountain was at fault. The medical officer, of health was quite satisfied thero was no fault there. Since May 19 there had been 12 cases of diphtheria in the district. Six of the patients had been scholars at the public school, and three in one family attending the Convent School. The school authorities were taking every precaution to safeguard the children, and were satisfied that now the "carrier" had been discovered they would soon have a clean bill of health. Parents could rest assured that the health authorities were giving the closest supervision.