BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 2

BUBONIC PLAGUE.

MANY DEATHS IN QUEENSLAND,

By Teiesrraph—Prep» Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BRISBANE, November 15. Two more deaths occurred from vfiague, making the total deaths in Brisbane nine out of twenty cases. At Townsville there have been twenty-four cases, fifteen of which proved fatal, while at Cairns there have been twelve cases and seven deaths, PRECAUTIONS IN DOMINION. WARNING BY MINISTER. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 15. In the House of Representatives this afternoon the Hon O. J. Parr made a abatement with regard to the plague. He said tho position in Queensland was somewhat serious. There bad been forty cases in Brisbane, twenty-one proving fatal, and it now was taking a severe pneumonic form. Infected rata had been found in Sydney, but so far there had been no fatal cases there. Health officers were, however, alarmed and feared its spread during the worst months, which were April, May and June. Tbo position was regarded so seriously by the New Zealand Public Health Department as to warrant the issuing of an order that all shipping coming to our ports from Australia snuat be fumigated before leaving the Commonwealth. This might cause some inconvenience, but it cctald not be helped. Precautions were being taken in our ports. Many rats had been examined booteriologically, but so far no traces of plague had been discovered. At the same time he could not neglect repeating the .injunction uttered some weeks ago, and again ask local authorities, who had a duty in this matter, and private individuals to reduce the menace by pfutting their house in order.