TYPHOID FEVER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22800, 6 August 1937, Page 12

TYPHOID FEVER

DEATH OF.FOUR MAORIS

great barrier outbreak

NATIVES FEAR "MAKUTU"

A prompt investigation by officers of the Health Department of a reported outbreak of illness 011 Great Barrier Island last week-end led to the discovery of an epidemic of typhoid fever,, which had caused lour deaths and had affected in varying degrees some 30 persons living on the island. The I>]ace most seriously aflccted is a native settlement in Catherine Bay, to the north of Port Fitzroy.

Having obtained the authority of the Minister of Defence, Dr. C. B. Gilherd and Mr. W. Armour, of the Health Department, flow to the island last Saturday in a seaplane from the Hobsouville Air Base to investigate the position. They found the sickness prevalent both among Maoris and the few Europeans in four Maori settlements. Three adult Maoris and a child had died, and the Maoris were taking up a fatalistic attitude, declaring that a inakutu, or curse, had been laid upon them. However, when Dr. Gilberd was able to demonstrate to them that the trouble was an outbreak of typhoid fever, tbo Maoris readily consented to the taking of all necessary precautions. Dr. Gilberd and Mr. Armour remained until Monday morning, and during that time they inoculated everybody in the four settlements concerned, numbering 87. The settlements were thoroughly cleaned up, and, in view of all the precautions that have been taken, the Health Department anticipates a rapid subsidence of the trouble. Dr. Gilberd and Mr. Armour returned to Auckland by seaplane, and various tests made have completely confirmed the diagnosis of typhoid. They propose, if the weather permits, to return to Catherine Bay during the coming week-end to give a second inoculation in all the _ settlements affected. If the weather is unfavourable to-morrow they will take the first opportunity of a fine day to re-visit the scene and continue and coinpleto the precautions they have organised.