INFLUENZA

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 27

INFLUENZA

GOOD SIGN IN NEW SOUTEf WALE& SYDNEY, August 14. The regulations making pneumonic In* fluenza notifiable have been cancelled. OUTBREAK IN TASMANIA, HOBART, August 16. \ After six months' immunity pneumonfo influenza has appeared, a patient at the Claremont Hospital succumbing to ii. A]| State schools are closed. August 18. Pneumonic influenza is spreading rapidlj* throughout the State. Hundreds of cases are reported in Hobart, where all indoor and outdoo* gatherings are prohibited, and the wearing! of masks is made compulsory in trams ana trains. MARKED INCREASE IN CANTERBURY. < CHRISTCHURCH, August ia ~ There is a marked increase in the nun*ber of influenza and pneumonia cases iri Canterbury. Tho weekly bulletin, issued by the Public Health Department for th* period ended at noon to-day shows for the North Canterbury health- district 26 new cases, of influenza and 10 cases of pneu> monia, as against seven cases of each dit sease last week. The Ohristohurch influenza 1 committee is watching carefully the figures' in connection with tho increase of thai disease. THE CHRISTCHURCH RECRUDESCENCE. \ DR CHESSON'S ADVICE. CHRISTCHURCH, August 18. A report having reached Christ-church that owing to the prevalence of influenza >t was possible that places of entertainment in the city would be closed, a reporter saw Dr Chesson, District Health Officer and inquired if the report was accurate." "There is no reason to anticipate anything of that sort at the present time,", was Dr Chesson's reply. "Careful watch is being maintained," he added, "of the progress of influenza in this district, and arrangements are in readiness in the event of anything cropping up, but there is no justification at the present time for taking any extreme action. It-must be borne in mind that there is a certain amount of. influenza and 1 pneumonia existing in and around Christchuxch, and although there is no need-for panic,- it is absolutely essential that the people should take every precaution themselves. Especially is it necessary for people to avoid crowds or congested places of amusement or of. public resort. ,_ . People must also bo reminded that exposing oneself in a public ' place, when suffering or just recovering from influenza or pneumonia or. any other infectious disease _ will render the person liable to prosecution. It is tho intention of the Department of Public Health to take action against any person wilfully exposing others to risk in this manner." . [