INFLUENZA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2083, 29 January 1920, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

Christchurch, Jan. 27,

Owing to the prevaleueo of mild influenza in AVeJlingtun, Auckland and Nelson just now. Dr. Cliesson, District Health Officer, mentioned to a reporter to-night ,the possibility of the infection being brought south through the coming of piqiils to boarding schools in this island. He'makes a suggestion that headmasters of boarding schools in Canterbury ami Otago should cause thidr North island and Nelson pupils to postpone their return to school for the present. PerhapsHn a. week or so the position might be sufficiently improved, in Dr. Ches,son’s opinion, to make it safe to dispense with the measure of safety.

SCHOOLS' TO REMAIN CLOSED,

PRECAUTIONS BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Owing to the prevalence of mild influenza, Dr. Makgill, .Acting Chief Health Officer, states that it has been decided to ask the public and private schools throughout the various districts to remain closed for the present instead of re-open-ing next week. Dr, Makgill added that this must not he interpreted as meaning that, Ihe epidemic is assuming a more serious type; Ihe proporlion of pneumonie and 'more severe eases is, if anything, lower than it was a mouth ago. Nevertheless, it would he inviting the spread of infection if the schools were to-he re-opened next week as proposed. This applies to private schools as well as to public schools.

Parents of children who are at present at summer resorts would do well to leave the children there for., another week, if possible. The Urp.a id meal wishes to avoid numbers of children (ravelling about by rail or otherwise at the present juncture, .it is equally desirable that children should he kept away from crowds of all sorts —picture shows, theatres, and like gatherinys.

Dr. Al.akgilJ stated that had the schools been already opened it was not likely the Department would, under existing circumstances, close them, hut ;is they were already closed it was thought heller, to keep them closed, rather than ran the risk of spreading infection. He slated that it was not proposed at present to do anything in the direction of (dosing Sunday schools, liecause these were'only weekly gatherings, and it; was not considered they were attended with such a'degree of risk. , As a result of this notification (ho schools under the .jurisdiction of the Wanganui Boat’d will remain closbd until further notice.