DIPHTHERIA

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1931, Page 8

DIPHTHERIA

TWELVE CASKS AT YVALTHAM

attendances affected by OCT BiREAiv.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. Alarm is being fell, particularly in the Waltham and Sydenham districts, over aii outbreak of diphetlnna which has affected the attendances at ihe schools. No deaths have occurred, bin the position was sufficie-nTy sei ions lo give rise to a rumour that the Waltham School was to be closed for several weeks as a precautionary measure. 'lhe report was denied ye-sterday by Colonel F. Y\ r . W. Dawson, of the Health Department, and the head masters of the Waltham and Syden ham Schools. Officials of the Health Department have been making iinpiirie-s to locate the source of the outbreak, but have been unsuccessful. TwGvc case have been reported at the YValtham School and two at Tie Sydenham School, but the disease is not confined to school pupils, and many childien are not attending because of members of their families being infected. Out of a total roll number of 630 at the YYaltham School, 571 attended yesterday, OUTBREAK SPREADING. ■'There have been twelve cases at the Waltham School in the past Lhree months,’ said the head master, Mr A. J. YVickes. "A 'Health Department, officer spent three days at the school making investigations, but found that there, was nothing wrong at th" school. The diphtheria is really spreading, and the object, of the investigations is to Jind a carrier. The attendances of late have been good, although a certa n number of children cannot attend by reason of the fact that o'hn- members of their families are inlectcd. A number of adults have caught the disease, so that it is not solely a children s epidemic. In any case, it is w• •11 in hand.’’ "CLEAR FOR YEARS." "We have had only two eases at h" Svdenham School, and those all with n the past three weeks," said the headmaster, Mr W. A. Rumbold. "YVe have been clear for a long time, and tb sc are the first 'eases we have had lor vears. The outbreak appears to be centred between the Waltham and Sydenham districts, and is not Ijlcly to spread." •■There is nothing in it,” said Colonel Dawson. "We have Lein mak ng investigations, but there is nothing in the rumour that the schools arc to close flown." He added that the outbreak was not regarded as being s riotis, and was most unlikely to spread.