INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1920, Page 2

INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

SEUIOTJS AT CHRISTCHUUCH. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 20. The somewhat abrupt valuations in j temperature recently experienced have ' resulted in the return of cases of mild influenza in the city and throughout the Canterbury-Westland Health "District showing a big jump. In view of the approaching visit of the Prince of Wales, tlie District Health Officer, Dr T. F. Telford has ordered a number of schools to be closed, principally as a precautionary measure. Dr Telford states that the increase, as compared with the total population, is not alarming. Christ’s College and St. Andrew’s College have been closed as regards day boys; the Christchurch Bovs’ High School was closed down in nil departments yesterday morning for a week. St Bede’s College, which has been closed for a week, reopens to-day. The few cases at the Technical College Girls Hostel are well on the way towards recovery, but the Hostel is still isolated. In order to minimise the spread of influenza, the public schools at Fendaiton and Waltham, and the two schools at New Brighton have been closed. The cases at these schools are all mild. The threat of a widespread influenza outbreak on the eve of the visit of the Prince of Wales has led to the adoption of the precautionary measures in the ‘ city. Dr Telford said that since Wednesday, April 14tli. there had been a considerable increase in the number of influenza cases reported in the city. From March 31st the figures had grown to 120, including 22 fresh cases at Christ’s College, which was closed, and ten cases at the Maori Pa, near Lyttelton. The authorities had to close several schools as a precautionary measure. Of the 120 cases, one was ordinary pneumonia, three were influenza and the balance were of a miid type. The positon was not alarming in any way. The action taken by the Department was purely precautionary in view of the coming visit of the Prince of Wales. The cause of the sudden outbreak was probably a cold two days’ snap experienced last week. The Boys’ High School has been closed for a week. CHRISTCHURCH, April 20. During the twenty-four hours ending at noon to-day, 114 fresh notifications cover the whole of Canterbury and Westland Districts and include 61 cases in North Canterbury, 48 in South Canterbury, and 5 in Ashburton all of which are mild. The total number reported over the whole district for the preceding twenty-four hours was 137, so that if these figures are to be accepted as setting out the correct position, the epidemic is not spreading at an alarming rate. At the same time, two more schools in the city were closed to-day. Tt is stated that a great many of the cases are of an exceedingly mild nature though the infectious types are never reported to the authorities. j Other suburban schools were closed today on account of influenza. INFLUENZA IN DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, April 20. The influenza is slightly on the in crease, but it is not of a malignant type Notifications for the districts of Otago and Southland for the week ended yesterday were 158. The cases in tin Dunedin Hospital number 12.