INFLUENZA SEASON.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1923, Page 3

INFLUENZA SEASON.

HEALTH OFFICERS ALERT. WEI.r.IXGTO'N. June 20. ‘‘Xothmp; to !>»' alarmod alvint" was tin* ik.*cl;initioii of tho Aiinisirr of Health, the Hon C. J. I’nir. on tho subject of influenza in New Zealand, hut he ti-sured the floii-o to-day' that t a refill watch is being kept on Australia. where case's of the pneumonic variety had occurred, and the New Zealand health organisation is quite ready with its plans for hospital* and nurses ii uece.ssiity arises. The matter was raised in a series of specific questions bv Mr B. Eraser, to whom .Mr Barr replied k,hat the Health Department, had been very watchful. It had cabled in the Melbourne Director of 11.-altli t,,r information on June 7th. receiving a replv that there was nothing more than Lite normal winter in-eiYi,-e. with some deaths from pneumonia in Melbourne hospital. A week later the New Zealand agent in Melbourne was cabled to lor an independent report. lie replied the following day: ‘'liitleunza of ordinary type, in some (uses followed by pneumonia. Nothing severe like the 1911) epidemic. People slightly scared. Nr, reason for worry.’’

Mr I’arr added Lhat he had cabled' for an additional report. Thus the I lou-c would see that the .situation in Australia was being watched closely. As for precautions being taken against :IM y serious epidemic in New Zealand llmre was already an organisation es- !. ahlishod as the result of the 1918 epidemic, and this could he tint into operation at any time. Everywhere they cere ready in regard to getting extra hospital room and private nurses. Ships ruining from Australia, a- a more serious tvno was tindnulkedly prevailing there, were carefully examined. I’orl 1 i alt h officers were taking the tempei at tires of passengers and crews. One result was that the Ulimaron was put into a week’s quarantine tot Auckland. • i ,i,l there had been no further development s. CASES IN NEW ZEALAND.

Health figures indicated a rise ill 111,' number of eases last week nf the more serious type. There was olio ca e j„ the Auckland hospital district, six in Cni.'terbury, two in Otago, other dis- ,, lets oil, II Hot ill of nine. This showed a d,,pnile increase on the pa-t lour weeks, which were re - pcctivciy nil. one. iwo two. hill the number was not excel, tl'Oial lomtiai'eil with past "inters. \('vt'i'tle less each medical ~dicer ol |,(lt h Win ready to pul into operation ini measures which might become lie, l-y. but summed up. though hhiTe undiiubtedly "as an inete.ise, l here was no ea use lor ala ria.