SPECIAL RESEARCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 7

SPECIAL RESEARCH

poußmyeutis epidemic

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. There was every reason tb fear that the poliomyelitis epidemic in the North Island would spread to the South Island, said Mr T. P. Shand (Oppn., Marlborough) in the House of Representatives to-day. In view of that probability he thought the people of the South Island should be made aware of the need of preserving all, data available concerning the health® of their families so that greater facilities could be afforded the investigation of cases.

Dr A. M. Finlay, Mr Shand and Mr J. R. Marshall complimented Dr A. W. S. Thompson, medical officer of health at Auckland, on his recent report on poliomyelitis investigations in Auckland. Mr Marshall asked if the experience of recent months had confirmed Dr Thompson’s tentative conclusions about the spread of the disease. Could guidance be given to the public for the coming summer in view of the apparent likelihood that this disease, formerly epidemic in its occurrence, might in future be more endemic in nature? The experience of recent months, said Mr Marshall, appeared to indicate that the closing of schools did not check the disease for in Wellington the incidence increased when the schools were closed. Mr Marshall asked if there was .'any guidance from the experience this year as to whether it would be helpful to prohibit conferences of various organisations during the summer months. Were prohibitions on travel at all effective? Mr Marshall said the public had shown excellent co-operation and self-discipline in the precautions which had been imposed. The Minister of Health, Miss Howard, replying, said nothing conclusive, was known about poliomyelitis in this country or any other. One of thedepartment's officers had just returned this week from a world conference on the subject and his report was expected within a few days. Attempts to check the disease could be made only in the light of what was happening, but a large amount of research was proceeding in New Zealand. 1< In Wellington, Dr Purvis from the Otago Medical School was co-operating with local doctors in special research. = - Miss Howard agreed that the closing of schools had not proved an effective check, and the department had therefore evolved the system of school hygiene now operating in Wellington whereby high standards of cleanliness were maintained and any ailing child was examined by nurses or doctors. It would be wise to extend that system to all schools because it appeared that this scourge would be in New Zealand for some time although its virulence seemed to have declined. Much, of what was thought to be summer sickness might in fact be a mild form': of the disease and medical .attention should be sought for such cases. > Miss Howard said that at present it was not intended to impose any embargo on people over the age of 16, but if tight restrictions became necessary the department would not hesitate to impose them. Miss Howard said public co-operation had been excellent. The restrictions which were imposed were particularly exacting on mothers of families, but their response was wonderful. ■■■■;" Miss Howard said much research was being done at the Otago Medical School in co-operation with the Health Department and the Education Department. There was not the slightest complacency, and everything possible was being done to halt the spread of the disease.