INFLUENZA

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1927, Page 4

INFLUENZA

HEALTH .DEPARTMENT'S STEP. [BY TELECRAI’II—PEIt PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. A Ministerial statement concerning the influenza epidemic in Europe was made this afternoon by the Minister of Health. Hon. Air Young,, who said: ‘’When it became evident that there was an unusual occurrence of influenza ;n .Europe, the Director-General of Health drew the attention of the officers of his Department to the fact. He instructed the Port Health Officers that they were to adopt a rigorous inspection of all shins from overseas, particularly from Europe, and to with-hold pratique in the case of ships arriving with influenza on hoard', or the history of epidemic influenza at an earlier stage of the voyage. In the case of such ships, the circumstances are to be reported to the Afedical Officer of Health who shall then personally investigate the matter. Upon receipt of a report from the latter officer, the Di-rector-General will then decide what quarantine measures, partial or complete. are to he imposed. Afedical Officers of Health have also been instructed to. satisfy themselves that the quarantine stations are able to be opened up at a moment’s notice to accommodate the crew and passengers of any ship requiring to ho quarantined. They have also been asked to satisfy themselves that local organisations are in readiness to cope with outbreaks of influenza which may occur within New Zealand.

A meeting of the Afayors of Wellington and the nearby borough, and of the Chairmen of the adjoining local bodies and other institutions concerned in health matters in the Wellington district, is to be held on Thursday, at the suggestion of the Department, of Health to discuss means whereby the Wellington area may be placed in a state of preparedness should the influenza epidemic roach New Zealand.