CITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 85, 12 April 1937, Page 10

CITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

BAN ON PICTURES

As a precautionary measure against the spread of infantile paralysis, the Government' has decided to close immediately and until furLher notice all public and private primary schools in Wellington City arid Johnsonville. The ban does not apply to schools outside that area, such as the Hutt Valley and • Eastbourne.

Dr. M. H. Watt, Director-General of Health, stated today that while the position was not regarded as serious, there were indications of spreading infection, and the schools were being closed as a precautionary measure. The cases which had been reported in the Wellington area had been of a comparatively mild nature, and only a small proportion had had any degree of paralysis.

The instruction, said Dr. Watt, included the prohibition of children under '16 years of age attending picture theatres,' the closing of Sunday Schools, and the closing of the dental clinic. It was also aimed at preventing' children congregating in large numbers. Infantile paralysis was es./sentially a disease of the younger age group, and it had therefore been decided that, for the time being, postprimary schools should not be interfered with.

Dr. Watt stated that where postprimary schools also had a primary department, day pupils would not be permitted to attend the primary department, but the primary department could be kept open if it was attended by boarders only from the institution itself. .' ■ ■ •

The position in regard to post-prim-ary schools would be watched carefully, and, if occasion warranted, steps would be taken to close those schools also. ■ . TWO MORE CASES. , rTwo mofe positive cases of infantile paralysis were notified today, both patients being girls. One was aged 10 from Ngaio and the other was aged 11 from Berhampore.

There are now fourteen cases in hospital, three of which are classed as abortive. - •