SCARLET FEVER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25589, 17 July 1944, Page 4

SCARLET FEVER

EPIDEMIC IN DUNEDIN MILD FORM OF INFECTION The chairman of the Otago Hospital Board' (Dr D. G. McMillan) last night issued a statement concerning the outbreak of scarlet fever in Otago. Dr McMillan said that the epidemic had reached Dunedin, and, although there were a number of cases in hospital, most of them had been sent there in an attempt to limit the spread of the infection, or for reasons other than the specific infection, not because of their seriousness. “Scarlet fever is not a disease,” Dr McMillan added, “but it calls for removal to hospital in most cases. In 'the present epidemic, however, it has apparently lost much of its old virulence, and, although the outbreak is widespread, it is mild in form, and most patients can easily be cared for at home. “ Children with sore throats and symptoms of influenza should be confined to bed,” he said, “but parents need not be unduly worried about the infection. Medical supervision should be sought at the onset of any rash. If the • child is nursed with care and common sense there need be no anxiety.” He added that the epidemic would probably run its course in a few weeks.

It was reported last night that at present there are 16 cases of scarlet fever in the Logan Park Hospital and eight in the isolation ward at the Public Hospital.