EPIDEMIC ON TRANSPORT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14711, 17 September 1918, Page 6

EPIDEMIC ON TRANSPORT.

THE 40th REINFORCEMENTS.

SEVENTY-FOUR FATAL CASES

(Special to the Herald .1 WELLINGTON, this day. "A list of casualties being published tonight," stated Sir James Allen this morning, contains a number of casualties which I am very sorry about. Tho* 40th ReinforcementSi, owing to an unfortuinate outbreak of a serious epidemic on the transport, lost about 65 men at sea, and nine more after landing m Britain. A good many are, still sick. Wo have cabled for fuller information. All Aye know at present is that the ship called at a distant port of call, which I do not wish to name, as it would disclose tho route, and we had advice from the officer commanding them 'Health good.' Tliat is the last report we had until arrival at the United Kingdom. Whether she called at another port I am unaware,, but it is quite evident that the epidemic cannot have arisen through any conditions prevailing on departure from ~Kow Zealand, nor on the voyage to the port of call at which she was reported. It must have been subsequent -to tliat, and I have no knowledge as to the origin of the- outbreak. Fortunately ten nurses were on board, so that one anticipates every car© and attention were given. "1 very greatly regret this outbreak and these casualties, and deeply sympathise with the next of kin. "The outbreak was apparently influenza, followed m cases by acinto pneumonia and bronchitis. The trouble is not confined to our pwn transport;. Otlier ships were m the convoy, and the j convoy generally was affected. This also i shows that the epidemic did not originate hero, but en route." I

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. S-'r James Allen reports that as the result of an outbreak of .influenza on the transport conveying the 40th Reinforcements, 65 deaths .occrarred at sea and nine after landing.