Influenza Sweeps Through College Hostel

Chronicle (Levin), 22 September 1949, Page 5

Influenza Sweeps Through College Hostel

Prsss Assnciatinn J „

(Pp.r

WHAN&AREI, Septf 21. "The college hostel has been a most unfortunate victim to a sweeping epidemic of infiuenza within two days of the start of the third term, " reported the Northland College principal (Mr. N. P. Pitcaithly) to last night's m'eetIng of the cominittee of management at Kaikohe. " Unfortunately many of the severest cases are those pupils sitting for examinations this year and eonsiderable interruption to work has resulted. Today only 50 per cent of the school was at classes. It eeem3 to be prevalent throughout the district although we are uhdoubtedly feeling it partieularly severely. ' ' The attack began with a sudden onslaught'last Thursday morning and by that evening 22 boys were conlined to the college hospital. The number the following day was 37 and thp total has remained more or lesg gtatic since. However, any improvement that may have shown among hostel boys has been offset by the fact that the epidemic appears to have started among the d)ty pupils. At the moment about 25 per cent of the college staff is absent from duty owing to attacks. Others are at work in more or less convalescent condition. There was a period when the Bay of Islands Couhty Hospital at iCawakawa Avas asked to stand by as it appeared that some of the worst cases might turn to pneumoni^.. ijowever, it was considered that that danger has now past.