INFLUENZA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19862, 3 February 1920, Page 2

INFLUENZA.

NOTIFICATION NECESSARY. PENALTY FOR NEGLECT. .An inspector of the North Canterbury Hospital Hoard yesterday visited all the public schools in Christchurch and the immediate district, and he reported to the secretary of the board that a number of the children were away sick. The excuse generally tendered in such cases was that it was thought that the absent pupil had influenza'. The secretary of the board, in. speaking to a “Star” reporter last night, pointed out that, under section 25, sub-section (a) of the Public Health Act ? 1908, on the day on which the occupier of_ a house becomes aware of the nature of the disease of which the patient is sick, or is suspected of being sick, lie must give notice to the District Health Officer and also to the local authority (in this case the Hospital Board). Sub-section t(c) states that if the occupier fails or neglects to give such notice he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £SO. If a medical man is called in, he gives the necessary notice, but if the occupier does not call in a doctor, but at the same time suspects a case of influenza (or other infectious disease), he is liable to the penalty if he fails to make tlie required notification. The secretary added that the hoard had no desire to inflict a penalty on anybody, but nevertheless it was essential, in the interests of public safety, that all suspected cases should be notified. All the board desired to do was to ascertain, the locality of the disease, with a view of preventing its spread; bub it would be necessary to take some extreme action against individuals it they did not take notice of the seriousness of the matter. The North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board is the “ local authority ” for the notification of infectious diseases for the whole of North Canterbury. POSITION IN OTAGO. (Peb Pam Association.) DUNEDIN, February 2. Of seventy influenza cases reported to the District Health Officer fifty are at Port. Chalmers, affecting eighteen families. The Education Board chairman’s recommendation that the schools should remain closed till further notice has been accepted throughout the district, i Dr Frengley, who has temporarily taken oyer control of local health affairs, owing to the temporary absence of the district officer, declares that the cases of influenza are a definite type, but generally mild. There is no reason for a scare. It is advised that children of school ago should bo excluded from picture theatres. NO NEED TO SUSPEND (Per Press Association.) _ WELLINGTON, February 2. The Mayor of Wellington * telegraphed to Sir Francis Bell, Minister , a “b). asking for an assurance, that there is no need for anxiety as to the health of the community being jeopardised by people congregating in large numbers at places of entertainment. .Sir Francis Bell replied: “Officers of Health Department advise that present influenza is of mild form, and that there is no immediate reason to anticipate an outbreak of virulent influenza. They also advise that the closing of theatres or (prevention of public gatherings would not be justified by any knowledge or information in their possession, The position is being carefully watched.” In conclusion Sir Francis Bell said, “You* may rost assured that, all powers vested in myself and the officers of the Department will be exercised if it is found necessary. At present there is realL no cause for alarm.” INCREASING RETURNSWELLINGTON AND NELSON CASES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 2. The weekly bulletin issued by the District Health Office discloses a very considerable increase in the number of influenza cases since the last bulletin. Although the vast majority of the cases notified are of the mild form, it is significant that cases of the pneumonic type have increased from three in the previous week to twenty-two, and pneumonia oases from eight to ten. The total number of influenza cases for the Wellington district (which is a very widespread one, embracing part of the 173 for the previous week. The largest number of cases is reported from the Wellington and Nelson districts. Ju the case of the Wellington dis trict, cases of the mild type of influenza have increased during the week from 112 to 248, and pneumonic cases from three to twelve, and three other ca=es are described as serious. . The Nelson figures show an increase in f mild cases from nineteen to 100. Phis would appear somewhat alarming were it not'for the fact that the Health Department explains that the majority of these notifications are delayed notifications referring to previous periodsThe 'Wanganui and Palmerston North figures also reflect the spread of mild influenza, over the whole of the. districts, but the Health Department states that so far there is nothing in the situation to give rise to any serious alarm. . The Department -is watching the position most carefully, and everything is well in hand ns regards provision against any alarming outbreak. BREMEN QUARANTINED INSYDNEY. SYDNEA, February 2. The Bremen arrived from Wellington with five cases of influenza on board. The vessel has been quarantined. THE OUTBREAK IN NEW YORK. NEW YORK, February 1, Influenza cases since January 1 total 38,887. Deaths numbered 772.