INFLUENZA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 1872, 13 February 1920, Page 11

INFLUENZA.

INTERESTING FIGURES. DEATH-RATE IN PREVIOUS YEARS. Press Association, WELLINGTON, February 12. In connection with the influenza outbreak, the Health Department pointed out to-day that prior to 1918, when the big epidemic drew so much attention to the subject of influenza, there was a considerable death-rate annually from this cause, which occasioned no alarm whatever. Since the epidemic of li) 18, influenza has been made a notifiable disease, and therefore increased interest has centred round the numbers of notifications and numbers of deaths. The following is a table showing the death-rate for the past 14 years:— moo 132 1907 223 1008 • 04 1000 <!7 1910 11l 1911 03 1912 05 1913 50 191-1 (i 3 1915 110 1916 73 1017 38 1918 0080 191-9 150 (approximate) "It will be seen, then," remarked the Acting Chief Health Officer (Dill. H. Makgill), when referring to the figures ([noted above, "that every year accounts for a varying number of deaths, the highest on the list (apart from 1918) being 1907, yet though the deaths were then 223 in number, no one showed the least alarm; indeed, the fact that there was an epidemic of influenza in that year was known only fo a few. We have not yet received the completed returns for 1919, but during January of that year we were •still suffering from the after effects of the great epidemic of November, 1918, and during that month there were 57 deaths. From July lo December, 1919, there were no more than 50 deaths recorded. Although there was a considerable epidemic of influenza in 1919, whicli caused no little alarm, probably the total number of deaths for the year will be found to be well under 150, and therefore not in excess of some of the previously recorded years. The mere existence of influenza in epidemic form is nothing new, and should not create alarm. Were it not for the fact that the disease is notifiable, and that statistics are published from day to day, it is questionable whether the present epidemic would have attracted public attention." IN HOSPITAL. In the Christchurch Hospital at noon to-day there were 25 cases of influenza, all mild. One new case was admitted in the 21 hours ended at noon to-day. There have been no further deaths in hospital.

POSITION IMPROVING. DOMINION NOTIFICATIONS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 12. During the 2-1 hours ended noon to-day, o7 cases of influenza were reported from various parts of the Wellington Public Health District, including 19 from Wellington City and 15 from Palmerslon North. These figures show a decrease of 35 compared with the return for the previous day, when 92 cases were reported. The District Health Officer, Dr J. F. Paris, said that the type of cases reported continued to be mild, and he was of opinion that the position was improving steadily. The ratio of pneumonic cases remained low. The latest figures issued by the Health Department cover the period between noon on February 9 and noon on February 12. During these three days the total number of cases reported throughout the Dominion was 039, of which 010 were mild cases, f)>pneumonic and 14 severe. Dr R. H. Makgill says that notifications received from all parts of ihe Dominion to-day showed a satisfactory diminution in the number of cases reported. AUCKLAND CASES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 12. The influenza notifications fell to 10 to-day, including only one severe case. There were nine cases in the city area. EXCURSION TICKETS. DATE OF EXPIRY EXTENDED. Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 13. In consequence of the dislocation caused by the influenza epidemic, the Christmas holiday railway excursion tickets expiring on February 18 will be available up to and including February 21. OUTBREAK IN ROME. Australian and K.Z. Cable Association. (Rrc. I'd). 1.1, !>.r>) ROME. Feb. 11. All Ihe schools have been closed on account of influenza. The average mortality is 90 per day.