INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 32

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

RAPID SPREAD IN LONDON. LONDON, January 17. The influenza epidemic is spreading In many of the London suburbs, and the doctors are finding difficulty in coping with all the cases. Fortunately the attacks in Britain arc much milder thah on the Continent, and Jmvc not paused anything like such ’a

heavy death rate, but some of the features are similar to the 1918 outbreak in Australia and New Zealand. The doctors are finding al! the members of some households a bed, and are receiving instructions to obtain the keys at other houses and let themselves in. The present outbreak is attacking persons of all ages. WELLINGTON, January 18. The Minister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young) has received advice from the Bri-

tish Ministry of Health, through the High Commissioner, London, dated January 14, that last week’s figures for influenza showed a rise in the number of deaths in the United Kingdom. For the 105 great towns the deaths were 172 fpr. the week ended January 8, as against 86 for January 1, and in London 72 as against 17. The number of pneumonic cases notified for the week' which ended on January 8, were 2010 in England and Wales, and 348 in

CONSTANTINOPLE IN ITS GRIP. CONSTANTINOPLE, January 18. Two hundred thousand people are suffering from influenza in the city and suburbs. The death-rate touched. 10 per cent. The closing of the schools and kinemas is contemplated. PRECAUTIONS IN DOMINION CHRISTCHURCH. January 20. While in Christchurch to-day, the Minister of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young) con-

ferred with Dr Telford and Colonel Dawson, of the Health Department, and satisfied himself that arrangements were well in hand to cope with any outbreak of influenza in a serious forn- “Although the cables from Europe have be—i somewhat alarming,’’.saidthe Minister, _ “there is no reason to believe that it is any worse tjian the outbreak we had in New Zealand last winter. The port officers of health have been instructed .to be most vigilant and to keep the Government well informed of the position. There is no cause for agitation, and the Government is well pre- «. pared to meet an emergency.’’ WELLINGTON, January 21. A lengthy statement was issued by the Hon J. A. Young (Minister of Health) to day regarding influenza. It states that the port health officers have been instructed to adopt a.rigorous inspection of all ships from overseas, particularly Europe, and to withhold pratique in the ease of ships arriving with influenza aboard, or with a history of the epidemic at the earlier stage of the voyage. The medical officers of health have been instructed to satisfy themselves that the quarantine stations can be opened up: at a moment’s notice, and also to satisfy themselves that local organisations , are in readiness to cope with any outbreaks which may ~ccur in New Zealand. The department and the public are better organised to-day than at any time before to deal with an epidemic. Official advice has been received that the enidemic in Europe is by no means so alarming as the cables in the papers state. DEATH-RATE IN ENGLAND INCREASED. POSITION ON THE CONTINENT. WELLINGTON, January 23. The Minister of Health received a cablegram from the High Commissioner stating that the influenza figures show, an increase in the number of deaths in England in the 105 great tdwns, including London. The deaths totalled 326 for the week ended January 15. Deaths in the County of London numbered 137 and in Greater’ London 233. The notifications of pneumonia totalled 1867. showing a slight decrease. So far London has been chiefly affected. The type of disease is mild, and complications are rare and .confined principally to children and aged people. On the Continent there is practically no change in the situation. In France and Switzerland the outbreak is decreasing, but Germany reports an increase in the number of influenza eases which are generally of a nrild type. Although Europe generally is affected, influenza is not prevalent in Australia or in the Irish Free State. PRECAUTIONS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, January 22. A meeting of the:Mayors of Wellington and nearby boroughs and the chairmen of adjoining local bodies and other institutions concerned in health matters in Wellington district is to be held on Thursday. at the suggestion of the Department of Health, to discuss means whereby Wellington area may be placed in a state of preparedness should the influenza epidemic reach New Zealand. “WILL REACH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.” CHRISTCHURCH, January 22. Dr Argyle, Chief Secretary and Minister of Public Health in Victoria, speaking of the influenza outbreak in Europe, said that he was confident that it would reach Australia and New Zealand, but whether it would be in a mild or virulent form he did not know.