MALARIAL FEVER INFECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1928, Page 4

MALARIAL FEVER INFECTION

CASE IN DOMINION. MOSQUITO RESPONSIBLE. AUCKLAND, Aug. 27. The mosquito pest generally is regarded in New Zealand, as merely an instrument of discomfort, and for that reason, doubtless there, has been no systematic campaign to control it. Most people know that one species of mosquito is responsible for malaria fever infection, hut with the comforting reflection that this not a malarious country, they feel no anxiety about the danger of the mosquito in regard to that or any other diseu.se.

It may, therefore, shock the public to learn that a- Christchurch visitor to Auckland l who had only once been out of the country, and then only to Sydney and Melbourne thirteen years ago, contacted malaria fever in conjunction with influenzal pneumonia. The case has been recorded' in the “New Zealand Medical Journal.”

The patient returned to Christchurch ill, hut recovered and was well for two months. Thou he again became ill, with high temperature. This attack lasted three or four days, but no doctor was called in. Six weeks later lie was similarly affected with attacks of shivering fever and pains all over his body. On the second day he had a temperature df 103 and a pulse of 100. On the fourth day his temperature fell to normal. Thirteen days later he had an exactly similar attack. The theory of malaria was considered at this stage, hut the clinical features did not conform to any reccgnied type. The report on two blood films was nil for malaria parasites. •The patient was kept on quinine after the attack wore off, but it was abandoned when another occurred eleven days later. Two doctors considered the case an influenzal one with an unusual tendency to relapse. The attacks continued their regularity, suggesting blood; infection such as malaria or relapsinlg Hover. Further blood tests gave a negative remit. Four days prior to the eighth attack quinine was used, and for the first time the temperature failed to reach 103.

The report states that there could be no reasonable doubt that the disease started as true influenza, and that malarial attacks developed later. Malarial parasites were always scanty in blood films, nnd it is suggested that without the predisposing effect of influenza. they might never have succeeded in making an attack.

The conclusion readied was that the infection occurred in New Zealand, probably in Auckland, and tlio case wins the first one of malaria to occur originally in the Dominion. Anopheles is the species of mosquito which spread's malaria infection, and in an appended note Dr David Miller. Government Entomologist, says; “It cannot be said with certainty that Anopheles docs not occur in New Zealand. The only feature pointing to the possibility of Anopheles being here is that at Knitaia I saw a female which certainly had a.nopheline characteristics. There can be no doubt, however, that Anopheles is not established in New Zealand, though there are many chances of that species of the pomps reaching this country. It is possible that drinking water in ships’ cabins coii'hl become infested with eggs at Panama, and if the water were not disturbwl or own completely used during the voyage mosquitoes could breed well.”

He mentions a previous case of supposed malaria, the patient being a North Auckland woman, who had never been out of the country. Blood tests, however, were never carried out. “Since tliero are many people in New Zealand who contracted malaria abroad,” ho concludes, “there is a chance -of the disease being spread in isolated cases by Anopheles accidentally reaching the country.” The fact that at least one cated case of malaria has originated in New Zealand should:, remarks the “Herald,” be sufficient to shake the public out of its complacency in regard to the mosquito pest. New Zealand is one of the most healthy countries in the world, and it would he a calamity if such a disease as malarial fever should obtain a hold. "Without the Anopheles mosquito it cannot, neither can yellow fever without 'the agency of another species of insect, but there

is n:> guarantee that New Zealand can keep them out or any certainty that in the northern part of the Dominion, at least, these types of mosquito could pot flourish. Authorities admit that the possibility of these fevers entering this country must always exist. One who discussed the question recently said that numbers of diseases common in tropical countries bad spread along the trade routes of the oriel, and he would not he surprised if at any time:, notably in the spring, out breaks occurred here.