MEASLES EPIDEMIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26042, 4 January 1946, Page 4

MEASLES EPIDEMIC

FEW DEATHS REPORTED PEAK PASSED IN AUCKLAND DISTRICT (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Jan. 3. The measles epidemic in the Auckland district is now considered to have oassed its peak, but its incidence is still widespread in some areas, particularly in the North Shore suburbs. Although the number of severe 'cases is not reoorted to be unduly large, at least one child has died from measles and resulting complications. The acting medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, Dr J. S. Hudson, said that some serious cases had been admitted to hospital, but the number was not alarming in view or the incidence of the epidemic. The number of deaths had been extremely low. Another Auckland doctor said that the epidemic was the worst for eight years. Comparative statistics showed, he added, that some densely-populated areas like London experienced a measles epidemic every three years, but in this country the outbreaks were not so frequent. In London, for example, most children had had measles by the time they were four. Most people acquired immunity after they had contracted the disease, although recurring attacks were occasionally known, he said. As there had been no serious outbreak here for eight years, it was not surprising that so manv children should have contracted the disease, for the age group most liable to infection was relatively wider here than in some other countries.