EPIDEMIC IN GREECE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20499, 29 August 1928, Page 7

EPIDEMIC IN GREECE

OUTBREAK OF DENGUE FEVER,

PUBLIC SERVICES SUSPENDED

(United Press Association.! (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ATHENS, August 27.

A serious epidemic of dengue fever is reported. There are 150,000 cases. There have been no fatalities, but the victims are reduced to shadows. The telephones are not workings and the railway services are much reduced. Other public services are not functioning. Social life is at a standstill, and the shops are empty, except the chemists, which are besieged for aspirin, and the icemakers are unable to cope with the demand. —Australian Press Association.

DEATH RATE DOUBLED.

BUSINESS PARALYSED.

THE OUTBREAK SPREADING.

LONDON. August 28.

(Received August 28, at is p.m.)

The Athens correspondent of The Times reports that the construction of a tunnel in connection with railway electrification, which exposed old drains, is now blamed for the epidemic of dengue fever, which has assumed alarming proportions, doubling the death rate in Athens and Piraeus. It is estimated there are from 160,000 to 200,000 cases. Business is paralysed in both cities. Many offices and factories are closed, and at the leading bank there arc only 20 o i; of 180 employees working, while the Government railways, trams, and postal services are completely disorganised. Reports from Athens state that there is a shortage of drugs. The consumption of bread has dropped from 225 to 75 tons daily. The town is deserted at sunset.

The League of Nations has notified the despatch of Mr Mackenzie, an expert in tropical diseases, to study the situation. The disease is usually of six to ten days’ duration, and is not the most fatal form. It is spreading to the provinces, where it is being carried by the population which is migrating to a w oid contagion.— Times Cable.