DIPHTHERIA OUTBREAK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14287, 2 May 1917, Page 2

DIPHTHERIA OUTBREAK.

. The prevailing outbreak of diphtheria is taxing the accommodation of -the hospital, the whole of the isolation quarters being now fully occupied wiih diphtheria, together with other infectious cases. Additional accommodation is being., provided • m; an adjacent building. The f - total number of -patients m the institution generally ;* (including those iri the (, isolation " buildings) how numbers i2o,^| and the medical superintendent' and his jstaff are consequently experiencing o busy time. (So far one case of infantile paralysis has occurred this season ana unfortunately the case is rather a severe one.

Interviewed oh ihe subject to-day Dr. Bowie stated that the diphtheria case* were coming from scattered localities. Fortunately many of the cases were of a mild character, and so far there had been only one deadh. A supply- of aftti-' tcixih was obtainable from the districtnurse at Matawai, and m the event of any further oases occurring m that district parents Would be well advised to avail themselves of anti- toxin, , which is of considerable benefit to the patient. It is understood that the public schools are regarded as- a, possible source of spreading infection, and that there is a possibility o,f the health authorities being recommended to close the schools until .the outbreak has been suppressed. As; previously ; reported the Waerengie--a--hika ibhbbl has' already, been closed"' '