INFLUENZA

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 22

INFLUENZA

OUTBREAK AT RUNANGA. POSITION BECOMING SERIOUS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 1. Telegraphic advice was received by the District Health Department this afternoon as to ah additional number of influenza cases at Runanga, all of which are reported as mild. The local schools, picture show, and library have been closed, and travelling prevented except where it is essential. The Railway Department is co-operating with the Public Health Department in connection with travelling restrictions. A telegram received by the department this afternoon also notified 40 mild cases afi Millerton during the week-end. GREYMOUTH, March 3. It is now estimated that there are 200 cases of influenza in Runanga. It is suspected that the pneumonic type prevalent at the last epidemic is again developing.Approximately during the week-end one case occurred every three hours. There are now four cases in the Grey River Hospital of bronchial pneumonio types. The State mines have been closed, and Runanga is completely isolated, road patrols preventing all persons leaving or entering. Travelling without a certificate is also forbidden. Greymouth is still comparatively clear. CHRISTCHURCH, March 3. The Public Health Department at Christchurch received this morning- an inquiry from the local authorities at Runanga as to whether it was deemed advisable to take urgent steps for the prevention of the spread of influenza, but in view of the notifications received not carrying the suggestion that the. disease was of a severe nature the Hen lth Officer for Canterbury and Westland has not recommended extreme measures. A message, however, has been despatched to Runanga asking for a further report. Pending further developments, therefore, nothing has been done by the department, but it is authoritatively stated that should the outbreak turn but to be of the character indicated by to-day's Press Association message extreme measures will be taken, and Westland district mobilised against the epidemic. Information received by the Health Department to-night is that the influenza position at Runanga is rather better. March 4. The District Health Officer in Christchurch has not received any further reporte of influenza cases at Runanga,' and the information sent to him is that the outbreak there is abating. He hopes that the township has completely passed through its crisis, and that it will be convalescent by the end of the week. He states that there is no need for great alarm on account of the outbreak there. Outbreaks in similar country centres occurred in Otago for a fairly long time.. The malady is springing up m isolated places without warning. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 2./ Several schools in the Taranaki district have been closed owing to the recurrence of influenza among their pupils. Influenza is prevalent in some parts, but the cases are mostly mild. SYDNEY, March 5. There was a case of influenza on the Komagata Mam, from Manila. The vessel has been quarantined.