INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 288, 31 August 1921, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. Interviewed yesterday on the subject of precautions in the event of a recurrence of an influenza epidemic, the Minister of Health (the Hon C. J. Parr) reported that he viewed with satisfaction the action of the Departmental Health Officer in Dunedin in setting up an Emergency Epidemic Advisory Committee. It was true the Director-General of Health, Dr. Valintine, said the figures of pneumonic influenza were quite normal, indeed, rather below the average. The Minister believed, this to be the case'. Still this was the season when we ought to take care. He had, therefore, given express instructions to the Health Department that epidemic advisory committees should be organised in every large centre. This was merely as a precautionary measure. If, ns the Department thinks, influenza is not going to trouble us this year, then no harm would b? done, lit was, bowover, always better to he sure than sorry. He therefore expected the medical health officers all over New Zealand to get into touch with the local authorities, and do what was so wisely done in Dunedin. Ho had asked the Director-General of Health to take action in this direction. When consulted as to whether it was proposed to take any civic action in Wellington with respect to precautionary measures, the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) stated that he was aware that (hero was a good deal of influenza in a light form about, but so far he had not heard from any medical authority as to whether it was advisable to take any steps by way of being prepared. He would, however, mhke it h(s business to inquire, and if there were cause io do so ho would act in the best interests of the community.