INFLUENZA PREVALENT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 12

INFLUENZA PREVALENT

Citv Doctors’ Report There was a 25 per cent, increase in the number of cases of non-notifiable diseases reported in Christchurch tn the four week' ended April 16. as compared with the previous four weeks The average number of doctors reporting, however, rose by about 10 per cent, over the period. The figures are those of the general medical practitioners’ intelligence service. supplied to the Christchurch office of the Health Denartment.

Respiratory influenza was reported as prevalent, with pyrexia (high blood temperature), aching in the limbs, and a persistent cough as the common symptoms. All ages were affected, and the cases were mainly mild. One case with signs of neumitis was reported.

Gastro-enteritis stayed at about the same level of incidence. Other cases included two of fever lasting three to four weeks, one of pityriasis rosea (a scaly-skin disease), four of ulcerative stomatitis, and several of persistent sore throats lasting usually a week or more.

An average of 10.5 doctors reported during the four weeks ended Aoril 16, against an average of 9 5 for the previous four weeks. Figures for the period ended April 16 (previous four weeks in brackets) included:

Respiratory influenza. 66 (45); all influenza. 78 (51): staphylococcal infections of adults. 56 (46): of children, except neonatal/ 28 (37); gastro-entiritis, 78 (72); chickenpox. 6 (1); mumps. 11 (4); whooping-cough, 1 (5): otitis media. 34 (26): acute tonsillitis, 58 (49); glandular fever, 6 (0).