GASTRIC INFLUENZA

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1931, Page 5

GASTRIC INFLUENZA

THE LATEST REPORT. ( Jly Telegraph —Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 25. Regavdin.gr tin* reported out-break of gastric influenza at Pukcmiro. tbe Health Department at Auckland says the eases total 57 in 27 families, and two thirds are children. 'I he latest report states tin* cas-s are much improved .and improving.. The department admits that mild influenza is prevalent but the eases have been aggravated by children eating overripe and underripe fruit.

MYSTERIOUS MALADY. OUTBREAK IN PUKICMIRO. HAMILTON. February 25. On Holiday some mysterious malady broke out at Piikomiro, which seized a large number of inhabitants and three are already dead within two days. No less than 8') persons are affected some seriously and others in a lessor degree. The worst cases have boon sent to the Waikato Hospital, where an effort is being made to isolate the offending germ.

The ailment lias many of the characteristics of gastric influenza. The suddenness with which the township has been affected gives one to suppose that the source of the infection lias been widely, distributed food. It is not yet known whether the sickness is contagious or not and until the nature of the germ is discovered correct treatment cannot he given. Dr NT. M. Horkin, superintendent

of the Waikato Hospital, declares the trouble is some form of dvsentry, but that the exact nature has not been ascertained. Dinrrolioea is so violent that it brings about exhaustion which may have caused death in tin* three cases referred to. The cases in the hospital, although serious when admitted, are showing signs of improvement. Pukcmiro is a township without a local government authority. The population is 400 or 500 and there is no sewerage or water system. The onry medical practitioner there. Dr D. O. Patterson, is unable to say what the trouble was. in some homes whole families were down with the trouble. He had been issuing instructions as a precaution to sterilize all milk and water.

Last night Nurse Willis was sent down by the Auckland Trained Nurses Association and 'this morning Inspector Thompson, of the Health Department. came through. A number of similar eases have been notified from the adjoining township of Glenafton. Latest advice is there arc no deaths. The victims are:—A. J. Edwards, fi butcher aged 45, died at Waikato. Hospital. A hoy named Hillicr aged five years and a girl named Tollan aged four years.

Tile two last named died at Puke niiro,