FLU OUTBREAK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 September 1931, Page 4

FLU OUTBREAK

GROWING NUMBER OF ROTORUA CASES NO SERIOUS SYMPTOMS The epidemic of mild influenza which has been prevalent in a number of different centres,- until the past week has not afflicted Rotorua to any extent, but there are now indications • that the outbreak is being experienced to a fairly marked degree in different parts of the district. The majority of Government Departments in Rotorua are at present working with depleted staffs owing to the spread of the epidemic, while a number of business places are similarly affeeted. The Post Ofnce and the Borough Oouncil departments are all working-

short-handed as a result of the absence of a number of employees, while at the High School a -number of pupils and f our of the teaching staff are absent. Two Rotorua medical men, Drs. Bertram and Lewis are both confined to bed and as two other members of the profession are- at present absent from town, the medical strength is somewhat depleted. The Maoris are reported to be feeling the outbreak less than the European community but a fair number of men on relief work in- the borough have gone down. There was a mild outbreak at the doss house but it has not assumed any serious proportions. The disease in its present form, is not of a serious or dangerous nature and-the best means of combatting it, is for the patient to remain in bed. The attaek is more in the nature of a heavy cold, ac.companied by a heightened temperature, and in some cases - by gastric symptoms. It is not pneumonic in eharacter but there is a danger that where the first attaek is neglected, it may assume the more dangerous form. The health authorities state- that the greatest risk of danger and infection comes from -persons who expose themselves to out-of-door conditions bef ore they are properly recovered.