REASSURING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 42, 13 November 1919, Page 4

REASSURING

THE INFLUENZA POSITION

ONLY MILD CASES PREVALENT

A year has now elapsed since the pneumonic influenza epidemic rava»od the Dominion, but indications do not point to a probability of a recurrence of the dread malady. Although this news is very reassuring the public should not relax any precautions, for a mild typo of influenza, -which in some cases is'accompanied by gastric trouble, is attacking many people ia Wellington just now. A well-known medical practitioner informed a Dominion reporter yesterday that he had encountered a good many cases of this nature. Victims of (lie complaint suffered from branchial catarrh and coughing, and the temperature in some instances roached as high as 102/ and 103 degrees. This form of the disease was more or loss always present in the community, but ho had not known it to bo so prevalent as it was now. There was nothing very dangerous about the sickness if care were exercised and the patients remained in bed until a recovery was effected, but''by neglecting (lie ordinary precautions there was a groat riek that pneumonic symptoms would flupervene. Asked if any new form of influenza was prevalent in Wellington, the District Health Officer (Dr. M. H. Watt) replied that the Department had not received any information to that effect. "The influenza position is quite reassuring," Dr. Watt remarked. "There is no need for the public to become alarmed. Of course, there may be some cases of which the Department lias not been notified, but I think we are being notified of all tho severe cases that are occurring, and we are certainly being informed of most of v the cases that are coming under medical attention. The evidence at our disposal pointe to tho position being well in hand, and it does not look as if there will bo a recrudescence of the 1018 epidemic this year. As regards tho disease iteelf, influenza is still notifiable, and every medical man is supposed to report cases that come under his notice." Dr. Watt added that tho figures for the whole of the Dominion from week to week showed that influenza cases were remaining at n lov level—about 50 or fid cases per week., A week ago some 9" cases were reported, but the figures really <lid not fluctuate, very much. There was nothing in tho nature of any widespread epidomic in any part. In the Wellington Public Health District tho cases were well distributed, and there was not an nnduo number in any ono town. "Wo are keeping a closo watch on the position," said Dr. Watt, "and I still adriao tho public to be careful. The people should not relax their precautions m any way." Dr. Watt intimated that the Pivblio Health Department was making arrangements to 6how throughout the Dominion shortly a. Cinematograph film emphasising the precautions Uint should be taken to guard against influenza contagion. Tie picture, which had passed through the bands of the Censor, had been produced bv the Local Government Board in the United Kingdom during tho height of tho influenza, epidemic in 1918, and it would be exhibited at all the picture theatres in the Dominion. The obiect of the film was to instruct the public, regarding the dangers of overcrowding, defective ventilation, and to etress in tho clearest way possible the need of fresh air as a protection against the insidious attacks of disease germs conducive to the spread of influenza.