INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10604, 1 June 1920, Page 5

INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOTIFICATIONS LV WELLINGTON DISTRICT. REMARKABLE DROP IX INFLUENZA CASES. Tho following ca&es of infectious disease were notified in the Wellington Health District during the week ending noon on Hay 31st:— Scarlet fever, G—-Taranaki, 2; Hawera, 1; Wellington, 1; Wairazapa, 1; Nelson, 1. Diphtheria, 27—Waipawa. 3: Taranaki, 2; Haivoia, 1; Pa toil, 1; Wellington, 13; Wairarapa, 1; Wairau, 2; Nelson, .4. Enteric fever, 1 (Falmerston North). Tuberculosis, 1- (Wanganui). Influenza, (324 (details given below). Pneumonia. S—Palinerston North, 2: Wellington, 6'. Measles, A— Wanganui, 1; Pahuerston North, 2. Varicella, 13—Taranaki, 1 ; Hawera, 4: Pntca, 2: Wanganui. 1; Palmerston No"rth, 2; Wellington, '3.

INFLUENZA. The number of influenza cases nollfied during the past-"week was 624 (10 severe. 21 pneumonic), as against 1149 (13 severe, 24 pneumonic), the week' before: a drop of no less than 525.

The influenza cases were distributed over the various hospital .districts as follows:

Waipawa, 50, all mild

Taranaki, 00 —4 severe. New Plymouth, 2; Opunake, 1, Waitara, 1; 1 pneumonic (New Plymouth). Stratford, 48—2 severe (Stratford). Hawera, 63—8 pneumonic (Manaia, 1: Hawera. 1: Eltham, 6).

Patea, 14—all mild. Wnngnnui, Co—s pneumonic (Wanganui). Pahucrstort North, 70 —3 pneumonic (Levin. 1; Otaki, 1; Foxton, 1). Wellington. 134—3 pneumonic (Wellinsrton), ~ severe (Petone). Wairarapa. 71 —1 pneumonic (Palliatual. 2 set ere (Pahiatua, I;'Masterton, 1). • Wairau, 2 mild. Nelson, 3 mild. x STATEMENT BY HEALTH OFFICER.

Br. I. E. Faris, district health officer, stated that the health bulletin for the past weelt was very good. There appeared to be a decrease in influenza everywhere, except in Waipawa. where there was an increase of 49 (ten last week and 59 this week). There were 24 pneumonic cases the previous week, as against 21 .this week, a drop of three; and a total decrease of 525 in the influenza cases.The nosition was, therefore, very reassuring, and on account of the decrease he had recommended that the schools in the Wellington district should be reopened. He believed that thev would,be reopened this morning. He regarded the position as satisfactory, specially in view of the severe weather experienced during the past week; but, as he had stated previously, he thought there would be small influenza waves of a mdd type throughout the winter months._ On Friday a case which ultimately turned out to he chicken-pox had been notified at Palmerston North, and the patient 'was isolated at -the hospital. On account of the department's instructions, in view of the small-pox cases in Otago.that in every case of chicken-pox notified the district health officer should examine the case and report, he had visited Pnlmerston North and had confirmed the local doctor's opinion that it was a case of chicken-pox, not small-pox. Notification was necesf.iry on account of the similarity of the two diseases in the earlier stages'.