INFLUENZA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 207, 27 May 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA

THE SCARE ABATED

AUSTRALIAN POSITION

There was something of a scare a few weeks ago lest there might )jo a recrudescence'oi' serious influent in this country. The Minister of. l'ubiic Health made a statement on the s.bject yesterlU>>.

"The last reports received from within tho Dominion," said the 1' inistor, "indicate that tho disease .'s well in hand, and that indications of * recrudescence, which wero rather strong a few weeks ago, have not materialised. It is necessary that the policy of caution should be followed for a littlo while longer, but directly the position jih Australia has sufficiently improved to make it probable thi\t no danger would be incurred by allowing .people to return to New Zealand this will be permitted, liut a limited number of people only will be allowed to come by each' vessel, in order tliat there may be no danger oi the disease flaming, up again. ''Cable messages have been 'orwarded by- the Acting-Prime Minister to the chairman of the previous meeting of New Zealanders in Sydney setting o;fcc the position. With regard to the proposal that the Government should pay a sustenance .rate for liie persons who are detained, the answer to this demand is that the Government has already given- instructions to '-he Government agents in Melbourne and Sydney that they may make advances to persons in necessitous circumstances. Beyond this the Government can not go. The Government has never recognised liability for losses occasioned through health precautions."

PRECAUTIONS ADVISED

DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. At the request of the Minister, the Public Health Department has furnished a report as to precautions rocommendqd in case of a recrudescence of tho epidemic in regard to the use of vaccines and inoculation, diet, avoidance of contacts, and avoidance with croivde.

The report is to the effect that ample stocks of vaccines have been prepared and distributed to the various hospital boards, toibe available to .those practitioners who desire to use them,

As regards inoculation, tho Department does not recommend it, for the reason that tho results where it Las been tried are not by any means convincing to justify its adoption generally. Tho Chief Health Officer has • onimunicated with New South Wales, asking to be advised as to the result of inoculation there, but the reply has not yet eonio lo hand. With regard to diet, a pamphlet , which has' been prepared is now awaiting confirmation before issue. When ready, a large supply will be printed, and circulated, principally in the back-blocks. The report continues: "Avoidanco of contracting the disease can best be obfained by the public generally observing the ordinary rules of health—fresh nir, good food, by having due regard to sudden changes of olimate, chonging underclothing accordingly, also occasional cleansing of nose ana throat with a mild antiseptic." . Regarding the avoidance of crowds, the report states:—"The praotioe df persons mixing with crowds is a most important factor in causing a recurrence of tho disease, but it is doubtful whether the Department can sufficiently stress the point to make the public realise the danger thej; are facing without 'tending toward* panic amongst the' hysterically-inclined section of the community."

Other matters , which tho public aro advised to give attention to are to sso that their houses are well ventilated lit open windows and doors, to avoid unnecessary fravel in trains, trams, i.nd (steamers. People; should lie encouraged to walk to work more than at present. The Department advises f-lso prompt i?o ; lation and early notification of every susj pected case by the householder, as a measure that will assist greatly in dealing with a recrudescence. >

ADVICE TO THE PEOPLE'. The Local Government Board in Britain. has lately published a valuable ar-ticle-on the prevention of influenza! This is Tieing reprinted bv instruction of tha Minister ,of Public Health (the lion, G. W. Russell) in the currant number of the "Journal of Public Health." Ccpw are being dispatched ■to all lo<!a! bodii"! in New Zealand, and 50,000 copies, or fhore if necessary, of the measures of personal precaution recommended by the Local Government Board, are to lip reprinted. An arrangement will bo made with the Postal authorities for n copy tn be left by- the letter-carriers at every house in the Dominion. The Minister hopes that by -giving this information from the most valuable authority in tho world to the people of New Zealand, (.ho Health Dermrtment may be assisted in dealing with the sickfless should it evor come again.

* DEATH PEPOKTET) TN NORTH CANTERBURY. ,' . By Telegraph—Press Association ChrisichurcK, May 20. One death from influenza in the North Canterbury'health district was reported last week: CASES NOTiFIED IN THE DOMINION A report furnished to the Minister of Public Health shows that the number ,of cases of influenza notified between May 19 and 22 was 29, of which 4ve were severe. There were two pneumonic cases in .Waikato, and one pneumonic and two severe .in North Canterbury. Ail the rest were mild.'.The cases, according to health, districts, were us follow:—Auckland health district; 7; Wellington, 11; Canterbury, 8; Otago, 8.