TYPHOID FEVER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1929, Page 2

TYPHOID FEVER

SPREAD OF INFECTION UNLiJKELY. -7 L - ' * e 0( CHRISTCHURCH, October 14. According to Dr T. F. Telford, Medicjil Officer of Health, a spread bm typhoid- fever is unlikely. / All . precautionary measures are being takfi, and it seems now 1 that the outeak is over. O Dr Telford stated yesterday, that there were six cases altogether in the metropolitan area. Two patients had died, three were in the general hospital, and one at a private. hospital. Thffre had been one case in Temuka and one in Timaru. Every possible search for the cause ;was being made along all lines of/ 'investigation, and every precautionary measure was ‘being taken against the spread of the fever. There was not likely to be any spread except, perhaps, to those who had been nursing the patients for some time. If the contamination came from oysters, it was just a fleeting outbreak, for, as far as could be gathered, oysters were concerned, in each case. The outbreak was over norv and no fresh oases had come 'in from the other districts. If the sewage at the oysters beds had /been the cause, it would have been a big thing. There may have been a slight contamination at the oyster wharf, but the Medical Officer of Health for Dunedin had stated there had been no variation of conditions since the beginning of the season.

On Saturday the Pathological Department at the Christchuch Hospital began an, examination of oysters, but no pronouncement can be made for several days yet..; In the opinion ot Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist, if the infection lias come from oysters it is highly improbable that all the beds are infected. One may have bken tainted. The disease has such a wide range of symptoms that it is difficult to form suspicions. Dr Pearson stated that the experience of the authorities during the war showedthat typhoid fever could be perfectly controlled -by vaccination.

WATERCRESS AND OYSTERS' TO BE AVOIDED. Regarding the present outbreak of typhoid (or finteric) fever, Dr T. Fletcher Telford told a representative

of “The Press”, on Saturday, .evening that it was not the ‘worst known in Canterbury, the incidence having been, greater in the days when drainage and other factors were not so satisfactory as they are now. . “At the present time,” Dr. Telford added, “it is desirable to avoid the use of watercress, and oysters should be cqpked as the . warm weather is not conducive to their keeping in the shell, and they are liable to undergo a change. Investigations are being made regarding the present outbreak from every point of view.” Typhoid is conveyed either by direct or indirect contact with those suffering from it, also by water, milk, or dairy produce, shell-fish or other raw, or uncooked foods, and through mechanical transmission by house flies. At the beginning the patient has an indefinite illness marked by gradually increasing lassitude and drowsiness, and rise of temperature in the evening. ‘These conditions gradually increase, the patient having slight defirium in evening, and the increased temperature becomes continuous.. Diarrhoea, or constipation, may be present; the tongue is dirty though clean at the edges. At the end of ten or fourteen days small, rose-col-oured spots appear above the chest, on the abdomen; and. the upper half of the thighs, particularly on the inner aspects.- The disease now becomes characteristics, and is one of continued fever till convalescence sets in. A doctor should be called in for any doubtful case of illness, with feverish conditions, or any of the other symptoms described. The six cases of typhoid fever that have occurred in the metropolitan area were reported between / the last week in September and noon on Saturday. As previous^ 7 reported, two of the cases proved fatal.

OYSTERS THE CAUSE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 16. That the source of the outbreak of typhoid in Christchurch was a consignment of oysters received on Sept. sth. was stated yesterday by Dr Telford, Medical .Officer of Health, j No 'further cases of typhoid had been notified since the six were reported.