HEALTH REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1933, Page 7

HEALTH REPORT

WARNING TO PARENTS.

CHECK TO DIPHTHERIA.

A warning that unless parents protected their children against diphthe-

ria by means of inoculation to a greater extent than they were doing, New Zealand would have to expect further outbreaks of this disease during the next year or two, is contained in the annual report of the DirectorGeneral of Health, Dr M. H. Watt. Dr Watt makes this point in spite of figures quoted by him showing that in 1931 a total of 1327 cases, with 55 deaths, were, reported, which constituted a further decrease on the already low figures of the previous year. However,, he adds, it is unfortunate that very little active immunisation against diphtheria is being carried out at present. Active immunisation against diphtheria by means of toxin and anti-toxin was made available generally throughout the schools of New Zealand in 1924, before which it had been carried out in only a few selected schools and orplianges. The procedure was not compulsory, but by popular education it was extended until 1929, when, as the result of (unfortunate accidents overseas, it fell temporarily into abeyance. At the end of 1928 it was estimated that a total of about 11,500 children attending public schools had been immunised in this way.

“One result of the educational campaign previously canned out is evidenced by the fact that requests for immunisation of children have . been spontaneously made by parents in areas where the disease has occurred in serious epidemic form.” Dr Watt says; “During the year, for instance, 700 children were immunised at the Otahuhu School by ana-toxin,. 'while 200 children in a Gisborne school were immunised by toxin anti-toxin.lt is intended to extend immunisation as opportunity offers, for it is realised that the presence of such a large proportion of susceptibles among our preschool and school population- constitutes a. most undesirable conditibn. “Active immunisation against “diphtheria is preventive work which,might M'ell be undertaken by the ' general practitioner. An attempt has ; be#u made at Gisborne by the Medical Officer of Health to initiate . such * a scheme, and this has met with a. certain amount of success. The advant-

age of placing this work in the', hands of a general practitioner is that he has more ready access to children of the school age when the susceptibility to diphtheria is most marked.’’ ,