THE BUBONIC PLAGUE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4297, 5 March 1901, Page 5

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE

THE DISEASE ON A TROOPSHIP. SYDNEY, March 4. The President of the Board of Health says there is not the slightest doubt that the case on the steamer Antillian was true plague. He had visited the troopship and found it infested with rats, of which many, had died on the voyage. He examined one and folmd that it had undoubtedly died of plague. Olsen, the seaman who died, Vas engaged in the hold, and probably hand, led the dead rodentsi.-

(Received March 5, 1,5 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 4,

The troopships British Princess and Ranee have arrived from the Cape, but Lave been quarantined. Three hundred rats were caught aboard the troopship Templemore. Fifty ratters are at work in the city. Vessels mooring at the wharves have been ordered to put metal discs on their ropes to prevent rats coming ashore. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. (Received March 4, 9.51 p.m.) MELBOURNE, March 4. A diagnosis has proved that Olsen's case was one of true plague. Three rats caught on the Antillian were found to be suffering from plague. The crew of the vessel, numbering over eighty, are at the quarantine station. So far there are no signs of further sickness. No troopship will be allowed to leave port until the Board of Health .■ has certified to an entire absence of danger. This will somewhat delay the despatch of the contingent. It is hoped to get the Australian, with* the first batch of GOO, away about Saturday. Arrangements are being made between the Board of Health and City Council to co-operate in carrying out precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of the disease, and preclude the friction which marked the last outbreak.