MAY BE INCREASE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 122, 26 May 1942, Page 3

MAY BE INCREASE

SPINAL MENINGITIS DR. HUGHES GIVKH. WARNING An increase in the prevalence of cerebro-spinal meningitis Is likely this year, according to indications referred to this morning by the Auckland Medical Officer of Health, Dr. T. J. Hughes. He accordingly gives warning to people generally to guard their health. An unusual condition—the continuance of cases of meningitis during the summer months—has been noted in New Zealand and in Australia, too, he said. Usually outbreaks of the disease died out when the warmer weather came along. This year that had not been the case. In January there were nine positive cases reported, in February six, In March three and in April six. So far this month there have been 17 notifications, but how many of these are positive has not yet been notified to the local office of the Health Department. For every positive case that developed, said Dr. Hughes, there were from 10 to 30 carriers, so that an increase in the number of cases, now that the cold weather had come, was anticipated. He pointed out that the disease was an organism that was spread on the breath. People coughing and sneezing could spread it if they had infection, and it could also be picked up from dishes that carriers had used. Overcrowding aggravated the spread of the disease.

He urged, as preventive measures, that overcrowding should be avoided, and that people should take adequate exercise, adequate nourishment, clothe themselves to meet changing temperatures and avoid wet, mental or physical excesses, overwork, or anything that might bring •bout a lowered resistance. There has also been a fair amount of diphtheria about. In January there were 16 cases, in February 11, In March 20, in April 12. So far this month 28 cases have been notified, but not all will be found to be positive. . .