SCARE IS NOT JUSTIFIED

NZ Truth, Issue 1273, 24 April 1930, Page 5

SCARE IS NOT JUSTIFIED

Reports of Psittacosis Outbreak Unfounded HEALTH EXPERT'S EXPLANATION (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative.)

The people of New Zealand will learn with relief that the reports circulated from Christchurch a fortnight ago, that an outbreak of Psittacosis, popularly known as Parrot Disease, had been discovered, were mainly unfounded, and that, according to Dr. T.. McKibbin, Director of Public Hygiene, there is no cause for alarm.

rcltttlllt I ILIIIII illllt I Itlll II 1111 l 1111 l 111111 IMM 1 111111 l IIMI MMI IlimiMlll M ltlll 1111 IIM A RECENT shipment of .South American parrots was responsible for a scare among the public, but the Public Health Department has succeeded m tracing every bird, and the position as the exI perts view it is that there is no occasion for consternation, as the prospects of the Dominion being visited by the disease are remote. Since these birds were landed quarantine restrictions have been imposed by the Department of Agriculture, and there is no possibility of the disease being introduced to the Dominion by any future shipment of birds. The shipment m question was landed m accordance • with a permit issued by the Department, but before the birds were disposed of the quarantine, restrictions were imposed. The dealer, however, quitted the shipment. When some of the birds died the Health Department was notified. The first intimation, warning the Department of the possible presence of the disease, came from Wanganui. The Department immediately instituted a Dominion-wide search and after considerable difficulty I succeeded m locating every bird.

Many of them (about half of thc shipment, it is be- „ lieved) were sold i n Christchurch and the neighboring district, and when they were reported by numerous owners to be dying, a premature report was circulated to the effect that the presence of Psittacosis had been established.

The matter was considered serious enough by Dr. McKibbon to warrant a personal -visit to Christchurch. Dr. McKibbon favored "N.Z. Truth" with an exclusive interview, and from what be had to say as the result of his investigations and from what his departmental research officers know of the disease, it can readily be appreciated that the early reports were ill - founded and I that up till tho present there is no need for alarm, but merely precaution against possible infection.

"To be perfectly frank, we know very little about this disease m New Zealand," said Dr. McKibbin. "From the many thousands of birds existing m, and being imported regularly into England, the number of cases of Psittacosis which have been reported are surprisingly small, and it is apparent that the disease is not easily communicable, but may attack only I one person out of a hundred who handle a bird. ; "The bacteriologists m England admit themselves that they have not yet fathomed the disease. They have searched for the Psittacosis bacillus and find that it is such, an infinitesimal organism that it passes through a microscopical filter. Up till the present they are very much m the dark regarding its virulence t owards the human being. ,_. „ "These bacteriologists are highly skilled^men, with years of experience and the best of equipment at their dis-

posal, and we . m New- Zealand mustj be largely guided by. their discoveries and their conclusions. "It was suggested that our bacteriological research officers should conduct experiments m our laboratories. I think the public will agree, however, that we cannot be expected to make any greater progress than the English experts, who have a greater knowledge of bird diseases and have better facilities with which to carry i out their work. . "It would have necessitated the m- ' stallation of special equipment, and I think our. experts can continue their i good work m" the field of human re- ' search and be guided by the discoveries made' by our English contemporaries as far as this disease is concerned." • "Do you personally believe that J | these birds were infected and that ! this disease caused their deaths?" "Truth" asked.

, "It may have been, but I very much doubt it," replied Dr. McKibbin. "Bird dealers tell us that some shipments of parrots are very hardy specimens and a big percentage ,/of them survive. But, on the other hand, some shipments become decimated soon A after landing, perhaps from climatic causes or from other diseases than Psittacosis." •Dr. McKibbin went on to say that every precaution was taken by his . Department as soon as it was learned that trouble with these birds / was likely, and they were all traced. Those which have not died or been killed by nervous owners are being specially treated arid are closely under observation. "It is now many weeks since the trouble start c.d, and it looks as though we are going to escape infection of any kind," added the doctor*. "I candidly believe that- these birds . died .A from other causes, probably through being delicate types, but as we yet know so little about the disease of Psittacosis it is possible that they were infected.

j "On the other hand we dp not know I how communicable the disease is. We, believe It is not very communicable, and figures tend to bear out this contention. When it was suggested to Dr. McKibbin that the public mind would be relieved by some definite statement from him, he replied that from his close observation of the situation there was no need for alarm, but owners of birds would be safeguarding the public interest by practising caution m the way they cared for their birds. - "We are keeping m close touch with the people who are investigating this disease, and we hope before very long to be armed with sufficient knowledge to cope with it should ever the occasion arise," added the doctor. "English medical authorities are fully awake to the. seriousness of the disease, and at present are devoting much of their time to research work on it. Their deliberations will be made available to us and we will be able to deal with the disease should it make itself apparent m this country."