INFLUENZA IN EUROPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20005, 24 January 1927, Page 8

INFLUENZA IN EUROPE

DEATH-RATE IN ENGLAND INCREASED. LONDON PRINCIPALLY AFFECTED. POSITION ON THE CONTINENT. (Pei? United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 23. The Minister of Health received a cablegram from the High Commissioner stating that the influenza figures sho\v an increase in' the number of deaths in England in the 105 great towns, including London. The deaths totalled 326 for the week ended January 15. Deaths in the County of London numbered 137 and in Greater London 233. The notifications of pneumonia totalled 1867, showing a slight decrease. So far London has been chiefly affected. The type of disease is mild, and complications are rare and confined principally to children and aged people. On the Continent there is practically no change in the situation. In France and Switzerland the outbreak is decreasing, but Germany reports an increase in the number of influenza cases which are generally of a mild type. Although Europe generally is affected, influenza is not prevalent in Australia or in the Irish Free State. PRECAUTIONS IN WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 22. A meeting of the Mayors of Wellington and nearby boroughs and the chairmen of adjoining local bodies and other institutions concerned in health matters in Wellington district is to be held on Thursday. at the suggestion of the Department of Health, to discuss means whereby Wellington area may be placed in a state of preparedness should the influenza epidemic reach New Zealand. •'WILL REACH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.” (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 22. Dr Argyle, Chief Secretary and Minister of Public Health in Victoria, speaking of the influenza outbreak in Europe, said that he was confident that it would reach Australia and New Zealand, but whether it would be in a mild or virulent form he did not know. lj