INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1930, Page 2

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

DECLINE IN DIPHTHERIA CASES. OUTBREAK OF CHICKEN POX. \ Cases of infectious diseases reported in the Taranaki health district for September numbered 26, being 14 fewer than for September, 1929. Notifications for the month were: —■ Scarlet fever 5, increase of three on last month, total for year 7,6. Diphtheria 6, decrease 9, total i 7. Tuberculosis (pulmonary)2, decrease' 2,. -total .28.— . ..... •. —■ Influenza (pnqumonic, etc.) 3, increase I, total 10. ... Pneumonia 8, decrease 6,’ total 80. Erysipelas, 1, same, total 7. Eclampsia, 1 same, total 5. The month of September had been very quiet, eaid Dr. R. J- R- Mecredy, medical officer of health, as far a 6 the number of cases of diseases notified. The increase in scarlet fever was negligible, and in diphtheria and pneumonia the cases had been fewer than in the previous month. The coasted schools appeared to have suffered from chicken pox, but this had decreased after August. Schools affected were Omata, Warea, Pihama, Oeo, Te Kiri, Hawera and Bell Block. It was noticeable that children had not been absent from school through influenza so much as previously; This ailment had decreased naturally with the coming of finer weather. Outbreaks had occurred at Eltham main school, in New Plymouth and at Hawera main school. The Waikaka school in the Ohura district had suffered severely, every child being absent through influenza. It was noticed that the more isolated a school was the weaker was the resistance, of the children to an epidemic. Mumps were almost non-existent. There had been odd cases of measles and ringworm. Ten children at the Hawera school had been affected by whooping cough. . On the whole the month had been fairly quiet and conditions were better than they had been in September tor two years.