OVER 200 CASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23103, 30 July 1938, Page 12

OVER 200 CASES

MEASLES EPIDEMIC COOK ISLANDS OUTBREAK RAPID SPREAD THROUGH GROUT; [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS .ASSOCIATION'] "WELLINGTON, Friday Since tho beginning of the month over 200 cases of measles have been reported in tho Cook Islands. According to the Barotonga correspondent of tho United Press Association .fho outbreak is believed to bo tho first in the

group since 1891. To prevent tho disease spreading all schools and churches and tho cinema theatre have been closed, while all gatherings have been suspended. Tho first caso of measles was diagnosed at Avarua, Barotonga, on July 2 and 11 new cases were reported on tho next day. N .

The schooner Tiare Taporo had left on Juno 0 for tho northern islands and Tahiti and had arrived at Tahiti before tho discovery of the outbreak in Rarotonga. To date one case has been found at Manihiki Island and 10 cases at Ponrhyn Island. Tho schooner Tagua called at Aitutaki before the disease was known and 'l2 cases have been reported from there. POSITION IN WAIKATO MANY HOMES AFFECTED [FROM OCR OWN correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday "There is hardly a home in HamiU ton that has not been affected by measles," said Dr. H. B. Turbott, district health officer to-day. "Generally, I think the worst of tho epidemic has passed in Hamilton," he added. "South of Ohaupo, however, tho epidemic has apparently not passed its maximum and many adults are becoming affected. The attendances at schools throughout the district are heavily re* duced owing to measles, and many business house staffs are depleted."