SCARLET FEVER

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1929, Page 3

SCARLET FEVER

THE CHRISTCHURCH OUTBREAK. ~T CAUSES DISpUSSE®. '.■•l. ..Tv WELLINGTON, August 29.'. • The outstanding feature of the year' in Idle health of Christchurch district, discussed by Dr. Telford, was the abnormally high . 'incidence' of scarlet fever, Hip number of cases amounting to 2124, ,thd’ incidence rate per 1000 population being 8.08.' . Dr Telford states: “There are many factors .contributing .to this hjgh iiy- ’ cidence, tile first factor ibjeigg in 1927 we did not get a lowering of the incidence of this disease injthe spring months as is usual, and cases con- • tinned to be reported right through the spring and "suminer months. Witjh this state of' affairs and-an abnormally low rainfall-ff was" able to anticipate ' an extensive outbreak for the year, now ended.

“In connection the incidence I would draw your attention to severil 1 actors in the spread of tins disease. It was propagated by a considerable number of undetected cases of a mild type, in which' the rash wqs of a transient nature, 'lasting only an hour or two, and with no marked throat symptoms. A large number of. these cases were .detected .only .whgfi they bad entered the peeling stage, l and prior to this they had ample opportunity of infecting many other children. Even medical men had beqp in considerable doulbt as to the dill-.--gnosis in several instances, being coij-‘ fused as to whether the disease at the Lime wqs one of German measlep, slight septic rash or an- influenza •/ ac> companied with skin blush. These cases were treated until the rash disappeared, when they were liberated.' by their medical attendant, by.t subsequently , owing to peeling or sogvo on other complication of the. disease, tfee , true diagnosis of scarlatina was estajE-. , fished. With a considerable juupber ■> of people out of employment and families not having too much money in hand they were diffident in many cases, particularly in country districts in calling in a doctor to settle the diagnosis of their children’s complaints, with the result that the fliffv ease was spread. Another point vis that they did not like to incur expense in connection with their maintenance and upkeep in an infections disease hospital, and urolbulance l#e to an from their homes. , “It is an unquestionable fact t})at school and other picnics have, been definite means of keeping this disease going to its present extent. A Mgdical Officer of Health not haying fojyer # . under-the; general, provisions, . Health " Act ’to prohibit these picnipsand other gatherings for children, (is very much handicapped inhfc control methods.” ' ■ ‘ t 7 .