INFLUENZA ON THE NIAGARA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 16, 14 October 1918, Page 4

INFLUENZA ON THE NIAGARA

130 OASES-ONE DEATH. By Telcirrash.—Proßs Association. Auoklami, October 12. A serious epidemic of influenza broke* out on tho Niagara soon after leaving Vancouver. The total number of cases was 112 among the crew and seven among the passengers. One member of the crew died as a result of bronchial pneumonia supervening. When the vessel arrived' at Auckland a large majority of the .cases had practically, recovered, but it was necessary to remove 23 of the cases and two passengers for isolation treatment, The influenza is of the common type and mild in character, not being - accompanied with gastric disorders. The crew and passengers were obliged to pass through an inhaling chamber improvised by tha district health officer, and tho vessel was fumigated. A large European and American mail was sprayed with forAuckland, October 13. The influenza on the Niagara is of the common type and mild in character. The cases totalled 123 of the crew and seven passengers, the number under treatment on arrival being between 80 and 40, of wliom 20 members of the crew and two passengers were removed to the Hospital for isolation. Four had sufficiently recovered for discharge to-day. Tho one death was that of the boatswain's mate, Thomas Rutherford, aged 40, a native of Nova Scotia. The passengers subscribed £250 for the. benefit of the sufferers.' The outbreak of influenza aboard thd Niagara was reported to the lublio Health Department before the steamer berthed at Auckland. The Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) eave instructions that tlie ship should be cleared after, the usual precautionary measure had been taken. The Department made provision for the treatment of these severe oases at the Point Chevalier Infectious Diseases Hospital. The official view is that the eniorcement of quarantine against an overseas steamer owing to influenza would mean useless expenses and The influenza aboard the Niagara is the same enidemic that is widespread in New Zealand at the present time.