THE DENGUE FEVER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 19

THE DENGUE FEVER.

SYDNEY, March 30.

A case of dengue fever from Brisbane has been isolated here. Two cases have been similarly treated at Melbourne.

HOBARI\ March 30.

A steamer brought two cases of dengue fev-sr from Brisbane. The patients were quarantined.

Dengue fever, which is epidemical in Queensland just now. closely resembles influenza, and is ve,ry infectious, though as yet no micro-organism ha 3 been discovered. Its occurience is favoured by high temperature and geographical situation, and is most frequent during- the warmest months in the tropics. It rarely occurs when the temperatrue falls below 6kleg- Fahrenheit, and its progress is checked by cold weather. The fever is most often found in low-lying localities along the coast and in overcrowded, insanitary cities. The extremely infectious natur& of the disease may be gatheerd from the fact that within a few days of its otitbreak in a district between 60 and 75 per rent, of the inhabitants are affected by it. In marked contrast to the severity of us symptoms — high fever, tremendous aches in all tho muscles, especially those of the back, and rash both before and after— is the fact that it is very rarely fatal, and then, only in the. ca=e of infants and old people. It is said to occur amongst animals. There have been, so a leading local physician told. a representative of the Christcnureh Pie'--, a good many cases of high fe\e-r and muscular pains accompanied by rashes in Christchuich during the pass few week.', and it i.s quite possible that a very mikl epidemic of dengue is prevailing. Tho average tpmperat-ure heie. however, i-s >uflirient (o preclude the 00-.sibiliry of an} thing like a serious outbreak,