INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 10 November 1939, Page 4

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

16ft SOLDIER PATIENTS

CAMP AT BURNHAM

NO SERIOUS CASES

(Per Press Association.) CHISTCHURCH, this day

Over 160 influenza cases from Burnham military camp are being treated in the Christchurch or Bottle Lake Hospitals. To allay anxiety the following statement by Mr. L. B. Evans, chairman of the Hospital Board, and Sir Hugh Acland, chairman of the hospital committee, has been issued: — “The influenza epidemic in Burnham camp is fortunately of a mild character, but a large number of men have been affected. The camp hospital has been able to deal with the number of trivial cases, but with those where illness is such as to render a longer pdriod of treatment necessary, the patients arc being transferred to Christchurch.

“There were last night in Christchurch Hospital 81 soldier patients and a similar number in Bottle Lake Hospital, the latter being patients suffering from a milder form of the disease.

Military Block Inadequate

“As requested by the Department of Health, 50 beds for soldier patients have been established in the old military block at the Christchurch Hospital, but this accommodation has proved quite inadequate to meet the position In only two cases have there been any serious symptoms, and no deaths have taken piace. “It is hoped that the majority of patients will be discharged within a week to 10 days. The men will be fit to return to duty in a short time. “There lias been some difficulty in procuring staff to deal with the emergency. However, thanks to the Red Cross and St. John V.A.D., nurses and workers who responded splendidly to the call, the position is being met. The Hospital Board is doing its utmost to cope with the position and to assist the camp authorities. “Unfortunately, the treatment cf such a large number of military patients has led to an increase in the waiting list of civilian patients at the hospital, who must expect some delay before they can be admitted ”