SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 55

SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

DISEASE WIDELY SPREAD.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND PROVINCE. DISEASE STILL SPREADINGDEATH AT MERCER. OFFICIAL BULLETINS. WELLINGTON., August 5. The smallpox bulletin itsued by the Health Department to-night was as toiloThe District Health Officer at Auckland (Dr Monk] reports that a second case m Auckland was removed from the house reported to be infected yesterday. In the country districts there is a European case reported from Mapara North. F res i 'Maori cases (including one death) have been reported from Taupiri and two fresh cases from Waiheke. The fresh cases have induced a redemand for \ accination. There is no foundation whatever for any reports of a case in the South Island. August o. The following smallpox bulletin was issued this evening by the Health Department. Dr Monk reports that no further cases have been reported in Auckland city and suburbs during the past 24 hours. lour fresh cases have been notified at Otorohanga. No fresh cases are reported from Kairara, near Kaihu, but amongst those alreadv notified several are very severe. Twenty fresh cases are reported from Maraeron. August 7. The following smallpox buleltin was issued by the Deputy Chief Health Officer this evening : The District Health Officer at Auckland {Dr Monk) reports no further cases of smallpox during the last 24 hours in Auckland and suburbs. One fresh case is reported at Otorohanga, also three from Walton. Reports received _ from Kaihu and Kaipara prove the disease bo widely spread A resident at Kaipara estimates that two-thirds of the populations are affected. Eight cases are reported from the Kerikeri gumfields, two of which arc pustular and six convalescent. The District Health Officer at Wellington (Dr Chesson) reports nothing fresh. August 8. The following smallpox bulletin was issued this evening by the Health Department : The distinct health officer at Auckland reports a suspicious case at Auckland. Cases are reported at Glen Murray (Raglan County), and two fresh cases are reported at Kaikohe. NOT AS BAD AS STATED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 11. A telegram received yesterday from Dr Yalnitine (chief health officer) by the Minister of Public Health (the Hon. R. H. Rhodes) stales that the position in iegard to the epidemic in the Kaikohe district is not as bad as has been represented. Active steps are being taken to prevent the disease spreading noilhwards. There are a considerable number of cases at Horeke (Bav of Islands), and it has been arranged that Nurse Bagley shall proceed to that district. Dr To Rangihiroa, M.P.. telegraphed today stating that the outlook in the districts in which he is working .s somewhat brighter.

CASES IX GENERAL HOSPITAL. AUCKLAND. August 7. No further cases of smallpox are reported in the city or suburbs, but several fresh cases have been found in country districts. Reports state that one further case has been discovered at Otorohanga, while three more cases are reported from Walton, near Morrinsville. Reports re ceived from Kaikohe and Kaipara (North Auckland) indicate that the disease has spread more widely than was anticipated. In the Kaipara Maori settlement the position would appear a particularly grave one, for a resident has estimated that quite two-thirds of the population have been attacked Four fresh cases have been reported from Poroti (North Auckland). while another has been discovered at Kaikohe. All the patients affected are Maoris. A European youth, 18 vears of age. was received into the hospital on Sunday presumably suffering from peritonitis or pneumonia/ He developed a rash, and the doctors diagnosed the case as a mild attack of smallpox. The patient was removed to the isolation hospital to-day. The ward occupied by the patient was fumigated, and all the other patients (20) were vaccinated. A female patient, admitted from the city a few- days ago and supposed to be suffering from chickenpox. has been kept under observation, and was also removed to Point Chevalier. Her case has been diagnosed as a mild form of smallpox. A male European who presented himself at the Health Department office on (Monday and who was sent to the isolation hospital as a suspect, has been discharged. TAURANGA, August 7. Another case was reported yesterday, the victim being a Maori at Matapihi. a Native settlement across the harbour. He was isolated. AUCKLAND. August 10. No loss than seven new casts of smallpox were located yesterday afternoon and transferred to the isolation hospital at Point Chevalier. Four of them, all Natives, wore found off Upper Omen street, where there are tome Maori boarding-houses. One European cate was found in Ponsonby. and two more Maoris were brought up from Waih'kc Island. A ;aso occurred in Marnnon street three weeks ago, and it is thought that those now affected are contacts.

The department further believes that the patients in question have been hiding knowledge of the affliction.

TURN FOR THE BETTER.

AUCKLAND, August 11. No further cases of smallpox were reported to the district health officer to-day from any city or suburban areas. Information was received, however, that the disease has started amongst the Natives at Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island. There is a medical man there, and he has had a supply of lymph forwarded to him. The case of a Maori patient was also reported from Kaiaua, near Thames, where isolation has been effected. Two Natives were also reported to be suffering from the disease at Whareroa. Of the 69 patients now at Point Chevalier it is expected that seven or eight will be discharged —cured —to-da v.

“I think the epidemic has taken a turn for the better,” said Dr Monk. ‘'We are not hearing of so many cases now.” The. health officer added that applicants for vaccination arc not coming forward voluntarily but grudgingly and of necessity, lie expressed a hope that the value of the precaution would be more generally recog-

nised. A report reached Dr Monk from Mangere that a Maori bearing a rash on ins face was walking about the district. An official of the department was immediately sent out to investigate. Dr Wallace Mackenzie, of Wellington, also went out and saw the Native in question. He stated afterwards that the man had had the disease, and that the marks on his face were pock marks which, being stained, had led to the impression that he was suffering from a rash. The fact that the Maori was freckled helped to make his appearance suspicious. NATIVE SANITARY POLICE. HAMILTON, August 11. Eight smallpox patients, all Natives, are at present isolated in the Waikato Hospital. The authorities report that the epidemic is well in hand. An endeavour is to be made to obtain the assistance of the Natives themselves in checking the disease, by establishing Native sanitary police. One officer is to be appointed to each kainga. SUSPECTED CASE AT HUTT. WELLINGTON, August 10. A Mao’.-i child at Hutt is suspected to be suffering from smallpox. The patient, who came from a- Taranaki Maori settlement a few weeks ago, has been, isolated and all precautions taken. No official bulletin has been issued by llie Health Department to-day, no telegrams having been received from the infected areas.

DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. WELLINGTON. August 6.

Mi' Reed asked the Minister of Rubik Health (the Hon. Mr Rhodes) to make a statement as to what the Government

was doing to cope with the outbreak of smallpox in the North.

The .Minister said he had received a telegram from Dr Te Rangihiroa stating that the position had become grave, and he (the Minister) had decided to send )r Valintine in the north without delay. They are watching all suspects and have isolated all cases. Instructions have been given to all transport companies not to allow Maoris who have not permits to travel. Maoris were not allowed to travel beyond infected areas whether they had been vaccinated or not. There was an ample supply of lymph. Some Natives had not been vaccinated, it having been thought fit to vaccinate those in infected areas first. Many chemists were acting as public vaccinators; the office was not confined to medical men. The department was treating the disease as smallpox, and he thought they were quite justified in doing so, owing to the loathsome nature of the disease. Replying to a question in the House to-day the Minister of Public Health (the Hon. R. If. Rhodes) said the calf lymph was made and tested by the most modern methods. During July 200,000 doses were issued, and the reports received by the department from these vaccinators who used the lymph showed that the vast majority wore quite satisfied with it. August 0. In the House to-day notice was given of inquiries by members into the smallpox epidemic. Mr Atmore gave notice to move for a return showing (1) the number and ages ■ f Maoris afflicted by the alleged smallpot; (2) the number of cases terminating fatally—age to he given in each case ; (3) the number of Europeans afflicted and the number of cases terminating fatally—ago to ho given in each case;* (4) the number afflicted who had been vaccinated, and the number of deaths amongst vaccinated cases to be shown separately; and (5) the state of surroundings, hygienic or otherwise, where cases occurred. Mt Reid was also to the fore with this question to the Minister of Public Health: ■—“Whether he will institute immediate in qnirios, either by parliamentary committee or otherwise, into the statements made by the member for Grey Lynn to the effect that two persons in Auckland had lost arms and one in Wellington was about ■ i lose an arm through vaccination, so that such inaccurate statements might be publicly denied.” In a note ho said : “Smallpox is now too firmly established in some districts to be trifled with, and as vaccination and sanitation are the only means of successfully combating the disease no | false ideas likely to influence the public should be allowed to go mn hallenged.” CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON. STRICT ME AS ('RES URGED. (From nm Ows Cniimtscovne-.-T ) WELLINGTON. August 7. The present position <•: the smallpox epidemic in tht; Auckland distinct was d;s futs-ffl at a conference this morning he- | tween the Minister of Public Health (tin ‘ Hun R. If. Rhodes), Dr Valintine (Chid

Health Officer, and the Mavor of Auckland (Mr C. J. Parrj.

Mr Parr suggested that as the disease has up to the present been almost entirely confined to the Maoris strict steps should be taken to isolate the Natives in the Maori settlements. He urged that all insanitary v.-hares in the kiangas should be destroyed, and that all Maoris not already vaccinated should be vaccinated. He also

suggested that restriction should be placed upon the travelling of Maoris whether they are vaccinated or not. lie pointed out that although a Native mav be vaccinated

it is still possible for him to spread infer tion through the medium of his garments. It might seem a somewhat drastic step, but in the end he believed-that it would prove to be the kindest possible method, not only of arresting the spread of the disease amongst the Natives hut also of preventing it extending to the European population. The Minister arid Dr Valintinc assured Mr Parr that the Health Department was keenly alive to the necessities of the position, and that no efforts to get the epidemic stamped out as speedi y as possible would be spared. Dr Valintine, accompanied by Dr Duncan and a nurse, loft for the north of Auckland by to-day’s express. They will proceed to Whangarei by to-morrow night’s steamer, and will then arrive at Kaikobe by mid-day on Saturday. Dr Valintine will investigate the present position in the north and will return to Auckland early next week, when he will again confer with Mr Parr as to the future steps to he taken to cope with the disease. Jn the meantime the Minister has deferred giving a decision regarding the recommendations made by Mr Parr. NAT ERE OF THE DISEASE. VALUE OF VACCINATION. AUCKLAND. August 7. The Auckland branch of the British Medical Association passed a resolution unanimously agreeing that smallpox is .t present epidemic in the community, and that one of the most effective means of combating and eradicating the disease ts universal vaccination. DR FRASER-H UR ST POSITIVE. (From Our Own' Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, August Ti. The Superintendent of the Whangarei Hospital (Dr Frazer-Hurst) returned from a visit to the Bay of Plenty district on Saturday. When, seen by a Herald representative lie- expressed surprise that astatement had been made to the effect that he had altered his views as regards the nature of the epidemic. |T have no reason to alter my opinion previously expressed.” said Dr Frazer-H urst, “ namely—that the epidemic is not smallpox, although in some cases it has similar symptoms to that disease. The disease is now making its appearance in the Bay of Plenty, and from my observation of cases there I see no occasion to change or modify my previously expressed view that the disease is a severe type of chickenpox.” As far as the stamping cut the disease is concerned, Dr Frazcr-Hurst said he was strongly of opinion that only the strictest quarantine regulation would have any effect in stayin" its progress. “It is such a virulent form of chickenpox that every means should he adopted to stamp it out.” lie remarked. “ A fortnight in quarantine is not sufficient, for the disease takes three weeks to develop, and I have unofficially recommended that patients in the Bay of Plenty should be quarantined for a month. Should it be decided to quarantine all (Maoris for a month it will, of course, be necessary for the authorities to see that the Natives are supplied with food and otherwise properly attended to.”