EPIDEMIC OF COLDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1926, Page 11

EPIDEMIC OF COLDS.

AUCKLAND SUf FERING. INFLUENZA NOTIFICATIONS. ' • Up till Thursday the question of the influenza epidemic had aroused no great interest in Auckland. However, there was a sudden increase in the number of notifications of pneumonic influenza received by the Health Department. The majority of the cases are reported from the South Auckland district, and this fact is regarded as lending some support to the view that has been expressed that there is a tendency for the epidemic to spread from the south. The matter is not regarded as very serious, and the view is held that if proper precautions are taken any grave consequences may be obviated. What really is giving most trouble in Auckland at present is the extended form of the usual epidemic of winter colds. These are more than usually severe at present, and they generally have a touch of influenza associated with them. Sore throats are frequently a feature of the trouble, and some cases are .marked by gastric symptoms or by influenza pains in the back and limbsThe duration of the trouble is usually from three days to a week. The colds appear to be a mild type of influenza,, but. usually they are not severe enough to keep people away from-work. One leading drapery firm stated last week that, although the employees were coming to work, with red noses and irritating coughs, the percentage of attendance was above the usual average for this time of the year.

A large number of school children are affected by these colds, but up to the present there lias been no suggestion to close any of the schools. The local bodies have been warned by the Health Department to. take the usual precautions, and most of them have already complied with this advice.