INFLUENZA AT FIJI

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 113, 6 February 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA AT FIJI

, RETURN OF THE RELIEF PARTY. 'Die _ relief party which went to Fiji early in December from New Zealand in connection with the influenza epidemic returned to Auckland on Tuesday by the Talune. The party, which comprised five doctors, four nurses, three, medical students, three sergeants-major,- and twentyfive non-commissioned officers and medical orderlies, was in charge of LieutenantColonel Jennings, N.Z.M..C. , Describing the work of .the mission, Colonel Jennings said that for the purpose of carrying; out their duties the party was divided into nine, squads, which were stationed at Rewa, Navua, Lambasa, Savu Savu, Ra, Ba, Levnka, and Bua respectively. The party intended for the last-named place did not reach their destination, and went instead to a group of islands called Lau. In this manner the' party was distributed throughout the two main islands of Fiji. The difficulties of transport interfered with operations considerably. The epidemic generally was the same as that experienced in New Zealand. .There were simple influenza cases, complications such 'as pneumonia, and many cases of very, serious heart weakness following the illness. The death rate had not been clearly ascertained yet, but it was certain that it was not nearly as high as that of Samoa, and was probably not more than five per cent. The relief party had to deal with Indians and Fijians in numerous hospitals more or less well equipped. Owing to the disease affecting the island medical officers, help was very urgently needed. The natives were amenable to treatment, and carried out the instructions of the doctors and orderlies. The food problem was becoming a serious one as far as the Indian inhabitants were concerned, but in the case of the natives the position was not bad, as there was still a supply of yams, tnro, and fish, upon which the Fijians mostly subsist. The Europeans wore suffering from a general shortage of food, particularly bread and meat, while butter was practically unknown. At first the relief party had to work very strenuously, working the villages systematically, and.seeking out the isolated settlements in the cane plantations. By about January 17 the work was practically completed, thanks to the splendid manner in which the orderlies and other members of the party had worked, and the members of the relief party gradually concentrated at Suva, where they were very hospitably treated by tho residents. On the last day at the islands the Govei\ nor inspected the party at a general* parade, afterwards making a speech in which he eulogised them for their very timely help, and expressed his gratefulness to New Zealand for sending relief.