Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4,1920. INFLUENZA.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4,1920 . INFLUENZA.

Though the reports available in the news of the conditions affecting a renewal of the influenza visitation have > demanded a request for care and attention,, there is nothing to be alarmed about. At the same time no harm can be done by the taking of precautions, and everyone should heed the warning. The influenza which is more or less prevalent, especially in the North Island, is reported to be mild in character, most fortunately, but tbo virulent type of that disease which scoured through New Zealand, as well as most other countries, in the year 1918, was preceded by a good deal of I milder influenza', and it is possible that history may repeat itself. If such an unhappy visitation should come, the authorities will lia-ve had the dreadful experience of 1918 to guide them in their measures and treatment. It is certainly disturbing to read of the present position in some of the great cities of America, where several thousands of persons- have been attacked, although in that country there is, up to the present, nothing like the epidemic of awful memory. Citizens should, however, do all that in their own power to preserve their health, and should not depend wholly and blindly upon official action and official precautions. A strict attention to cleanliness and an abundant use of that very cheap commodity, fresh air, will do much to help, while unnecessary congregation should be avoided. We. do not know, comments the “ Lyttelton Times,” what steps are taken by the Department of Public Health to ascertain the position in other countries, but it is obviously important that the Department should have an alert intelligence branch, «o that quick and accurate and adequate information may be obtained as to the conditions that exist in other parts of the world. By that means precautions can be taken, and taken in time, in regard to incoming vessels. Another matter that we should like to be reassured upon is the preparedness or otherwise of the Health Department 1o pi sice crews and passengers into quarantine if the occasion arises. The public will not be very iiexit' if any of the mistakes and ineptitude of TIGIB are manifested again by the authorities. jfhe meantime, however, - we feel sure that there is no ground for the public becoming alarmed about the. mild form of influenza which 1 is. prevalent. At the same tsipe, nobody caw afford to be indifferent, and it is the duty of every citizen, no les» than that of every responsible official to do what is possible to minimise risk. For the present ,as we have suggested, there are available to everybody the preventive powers of cleanliness and fresh air.