INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Southland Times, Issue 17969, 9 March 1917, Page 5

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

DIPHTHERIA SPREADING LOCALLY. A PLEA FOR GREATER CARE. The Health Inspector reported to yesterday’s meeting of the Southland H. and C.A. Board In the following strain: — •••The diphtheria outbreak still continues, although Invercargill district shows an improvement over the number of cases on the previous month. The trouble appears to be increasing, however, in Southland county. The whole work of the month has been taken uft, with the necessary attendances on those cases, and other work 'has had to be to a certain extent neglected. Owing to the wide area from which diphtheria cases are being reported it is evident that the mild form of the epidemic has not been recognised by many parents, with the result that the infection is unwittingly spread through these mild cases coming in contact with other children. I would again remind householders of the importance of at once seeking medical advice when any of their children show symptoms of sickness or sore throats. Although the epidemic has in the past been of a mild character, it may at any time assume a more serious form, and the Department seeks the co-operation and assistance of all householders in endeavouring to stamp out the present epidemic.” The inspector’s warning is a timelyone in view of the fact that there were 36 cases of diphtheria notified in the district last month, and that more are pouring in this month. There can be no doubt, too, that many parents are not alive to the seriousness of the situation, and do not call in a doctor until it is too late, and the whole family has been infected from the one child who first developed a sore, throat and who should have been seen to immediately. It behoves all concerned to in future exercise greater care and keep a closer watch for symptoms in order that the epidemic may be subdued before it assumes any worse form.