MORE IMMUNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20334, 26 October 1937, Page 8

MORE IMMUNITY

PEOPLE AND PARALYSIS LITTLE OHANOE OF OUTBREAK HEALTH OFFICER’S OPINIONS Commenting upon the recent cases of infantile paralysis notified in the Waikato district, Dr. H. B. Turbott, Medical Officer of Health in Hamilton, stated to-day that there was little appearance of a further outbreak of the disease. The epidemic last summer would be such as to raise the immunity of the people and was proof enough of the meagre chances of another serious recurrence. Odd cases before and after an epidemic were bound to occur. The latest report of the DirectorGeneral of Health contains a review of the position. The last epidemic started in Dunedin and gradually spread throughout the Dominion, reaching its peak in the latter part of April and then declining. Previous epidemics had always commenced in December or January, rapidly rising to their height in February or March. “Abortive” Cases Of the 819 cases reported during the seven months, 234 were of the "abortive” type, that is the conditions subsided without causing any apparent involvement of the motor cells of the central nervous system. In 585 cases paralysis was apparent. The incidence of reported cases in both European and Maori population, was .52 per 1000. The number of deaths notified were 39, a case fatality rate of 4.8 per cent of all cases reported or 6 per cent of cases showing paralysis. The rate was remarkably lower than that of any previous epidemic. In the North Island there were 427 cases, 25 more than in the South Island, and of those, 321 showed paralytic symptoms, while the oase fatality rate was 3 per •cent. Although in the past, the disease was inolined to affeot children more than adults, the tendency now in New Zealand and overseas countries was for grown-ups to be attacked. In 1925 55.3 per cent of the cases were children while in the recent outbreak only 27.4 per cent were children. South Auckland Figures The figures for South Auckland showed 61 recorded cases of infantile paralysis in that area. Commencing with two in January, the number increased to 23 in April and May and then decreased to 13 in June. Little information regarding infantile paralysis was obtained prior to 1914 and apparently it was present in sporadic form only. Since that date there had been three major epidemics, in 1915, 1924 and 1936.