YELLOW FEVER AT RIO.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 9, 21 June 1889, Page 29

YELLOW FEVER AT RIO.

Th» New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Eaikoura, Oaptai* W. C. Crutchley, arrived at Plymouth on Friday, ADril 6, from NewZealand, via Rio de Janeiro, and confirms the reports which have been published respecting the spread of yellow fever at Rio. The city was literally panic stricken, and the authorities seemed power* lees to deal with the plagne. Business was at a standstill, the inhabl* tanta were deserting the city and the labouring classes refused t* work the ships for fear of contagion. The result was that the Kal« konra was detained at Rio more than a day beyond her time ai the crew of the ship had to coal her themselves. The heat waß very great, the thermometer registering 104 in the shade. A semi-official return which was circulated privately gives the total number at deaths aB 3 833. Shortly before the Eaikoura reached Rio the Dumber of deaths exceeded over 150 a day, and tbe bill of health registered the number of deaths at 113 that clay from yellow fever. A new Brazilian Bteamer cabled from Rio with an unusually large number of passengers, mostly panic-stricken residents of Rio, for Buenos Ayres ; but on the voyage fever showed itself in an Englishman, and another person was attacked with fatal results. The authorities at Buenos Ayres refused to allow the ship on her arrival there to enter, and the captain had no alternative but to return to Rio. On reaching Rio the Brazilian Government refused to allow the passengers to land, and the steamer on the arrival of the Kai» koura was observed lying ia the stream with yellow fever raging among the people. Several deaths have already occurred on board. The crew of the steamer Argentine had been stricken down with tbe fever, and five, including the captain and surgeon, died. By order of the Brazilian Government the Pacific Steam Navigation Company and other passenger liners had to refuse passengers from Rio for South American ports. The Kaikoura brought some passengers from New Zealand for Rio. But on account of the prevailing disease they accepted the advice of the authorities and came on ia the vessel faif London. The passengers who embaiked at Rio were subjected to the stiictest medical examination, ani their clothes and boxes, together with the mails put ou board, were fumigated for a week. No sicknets of any special character broke on' oa board the Kaikoura on the voyage, but no communication was allowed at Tenenffe. The port sanitary medical officer (Mr. Fox) accompanied the customs officers in the tender on the Kaikoura'u arrival at Plymouth, and pratique was at once granted. The Kaikoura having landed mails and passengers proceeded for London. — limes.