YELLOW FEVER RISK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 8

YELLOW FEVER RISK

DANGER FROM AEROPLANES "DEADLIER THAN MALARIA" WARNING BY AN EXPERT * The prospects of world trade being paralysed as the result of the spreading of yellow fever by aeroplane from its natural home in West Africa was discussed by Sir Malcolm Watson, Director, of Tropical Hygiene of the Ross Institute, at a meeting of the Institute's Industrial Advisory Committee in London a few weeks ago. Mr. John Still, Trade Commissioner for Ceylon and the Ceylon Association, stated that the aeroplane for the first time rendered it possible for Africa to be crossed within the period of incubation of tho disease. Other authorities expressed the opinion that if the disease reached East Africa it would not be long before it penetrated to India, Ceylon, and other eastern countries. The danger was so grave, Sir Malcolm Watson stated, that in his opinion the nation should be mobilised to meet it. The effect of yellow fever crossing Africa, and then to Asia, would bo that steamships would cease to go to the East, as no crews would sign on. Tropical products, such as tea, rubber and coffee, could not be carried to Europe, and civilisation would come to a standstill. Sir Malcolm stated that a recent investigation had shown that yellow fever was ten times as deadly as malaria. Explaining how 3 - ellow fever could be spread by aeroplanes, Mr. Still said mosquitoes, which carried the disease, had been shown to be capable of travelling 1250 miles in ordinary postal aeroplanes. surviving three stops en route when the crews, baggage and passengers were all transferred. From documents provided by Sir Malcolm, Mr. Still said he had found that the average death-rate from yellow fever in epidemics recorded through nearly three centuries was 56' per cent of all the persons infected.