FLU EPIDEMIC

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1931, Page 2

FLU EPIDEMIC

ISLAND PRECAUTIONS. TOFUA’S EXPERIENCE. IBy Telegraph —Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 28. On ber arrival from Fiji, Tonga- and Samoa, to-day, the Island steamer Tofua reported chat when the vessel arrived at Suva, the Health Authorities placed the shin under partial quarantine, because it was there believed that a severe form of influenza, was raging in Auckland. The effect of the partial quarantine was to prohibit the Tcfua’s officers and crew from going ashore. No restrictions were placed on t.he passengers at Apia. Neither the passengers making the round trip, nor the members of the crew were a. lowed ashore, and the passengers who were booked for that port were put into quarantine on shore for four days. A s a result of the quarantine, the steamer remained at Apia- only for 12 hours instead of the customary clay and a-lialf or two days When the ship returned to Suva, after visiting Samoa and Tonga, no restrictions were imposed, and, as a compensation for not being allowed ashore a,t Apia, the passengers were given an extra day at Suva.

“The semi-quarantine at Suva, was a farce.” declared a member of the crew. “Actually we had no cases of ’flu on board, but passengers who lmd been sick with co’ds on. .the run from Auckland were allowed on shore, whi e the members of the crew, who did not have even colds, were kept on board. At Apia the officials were apparently under the impression that the ’flu epidemic was very serious. We were told that they had heard that there had been a nflmber of deaths in Auckland.”