FIVE FURTHER CASES

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1937, Page 6

FIVE FURTHER CASES

EPIDEMIC OF PARALYSIS SCATTERED TARANAKI PATIENTS. FOUR MORE SCHOOLS CLOSED. CASES IN OTHER PROVINCES. Five fresh cases of inf&ntilc paralysis were reported yesterday in the Taranaki district, ranging from Mokau to Kaponga. Three cases have been admitted to the Hawera Hospital and one each to the New Plymouth and Stratford hospitals. All the schools concerned have' been closed. A Maori girl aged about eight was admitted at New Plymouth from Mokau affected in one leg. A Kapuni girl aged eight was admitted to the Hawera Hospital, where admissions were also made of a boy of 12 from Kaponga and a boy of three from Eltham, both paralysed. A Ngaere suspect, a boy aged 13 with a weakness in one leg, was admitted to the Stratford hospital. The Mokau, Kaponga, Kapuni and Ngaere schools were closed yesterday by the Health Department. The Eltham school has been closed for some time. Dr, F. W. W. Dawson, medical officer_ of health, was engaged yesterday in an inspection of affected districts. Kapuni Casc Definite. The girl aged eight years from Kapuni admitted to the Hawera Hospital at three o'clock yesterday afternoon, is a definite paralysis case and has a weakness in one leg. First known symptoms occurred four days ago, when she developed a headache. The Kaponga boy became ill 11 days ago and had been absent from school for three days before he was attended by a doctor, who found slight paralysis of one leg. His immediate removal to hospital was ordered and Dr. Dawson visited Kaponga yesterday morning to arrange for the immediate isolation of the family, the closing of both State and Convent schools and the imposition of other restrictions on public gatherings for a period of 14 days. Kaponga children who are pupils at the Hawera Technical High School will remain at home. If no further cases occur in the district the Coronation Day children's sports on May 12, the date of expiration of isolation restrictions, will be permitted. It is found by medical men that a number of people have apparently been affected by the epidemic although perhaps in such slight degree that paralysis has not been suspected. It has been noted where children have been "out of sorts" for a few days that they have sometimcs felt a stiffness in some of the muscles, but this has gradually worn off and the sufferer has recovered from what was thought to be a touch of summer sickness. One such case was found this week at Pihama, where a child was affected about six weeks ago. The symptoms were slight and there was no suspicion of paralysis, but it is now believed that it was a mild infection. Definite Diagnosls Advisable. While parents need not be alarmed at mild ailments among children it is considered advisable to call in a doctor in such ca^es in ^rder that the case bc definitely' diagnosed. Should it be negative it becomes more assuring to those concerned, but in the event of a positive diagnosis precautions can be taken at the earliest possible stage. The effect of the epidemic on school picnics was referred to in a report presented to the annual meeting of the Kawaroa Park Foreshore Beautifymg Society at New Plymouth last night. The prevalence of infantile paralysis and the consequent closing of schools had resulted, stated the report, in the curtailment of school picnics and very few schools made the park the venue of their picnics this year. Two child suspects, a girl of five and a boy of 10, were removed to the Marton hospital yesterday, states a Press Association message. The town school has closed, on the advice of the Health Department. A doctor states that the symptoms suggest that thc epidemic is waning in stages. The cases are the first in this district. A 15-months-old child admitted to the Palmerston North hospital on Wednesday as a paralysis suspect proved to be a positive case. Two suspects, a boy, of 11 from Colyton and a boy of 12 from Feilding, were admitted to hospital yesterday. They bring the total in the institution, including suspects, to 25. A case of paralysis was admitted to the Napier hospital from Hastings, the latest victim being a four-year-old girl. This is first case reported within the past 18 days.