WHAT IS IT?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 54, 9 July 1913, Page 5

WHAT IS IT?

CH6GKENPOX OR SMALLPOX

FURTHER OUTBREAKS

[Per Press Association.]

Auckland, July 8

The arrival of official instructions from Wellington last night has caused increased activity in Auckland with regard to the precautions against the spread of chickenpox. Six Maoris, who have been treated for the disease in isolation wards at

Uie Auckland Hospital are being conveyed to the isolation hospital at Point Chevalier.

On inquiry at the District Health Office this morning, a. reporter was informed that a fresh outbreak oi chickenpox among Maoris had been reported from Cambridge. Xo details were available, but instructions had been wired for an inspector to go out from Cambridge and search out the affected names, also any suspected "contacts.'' The District. Health Officer said that no further notifications had been much'. Asked for an estimate of the number of cases among Maoris north of Auckland, the officer said that the cumber would probably be somewhere in tin- vicinity of 600. When asked Further if lie knew of the prevalence of chickenpox among children in Auckland 'there are a number of known cases among school children). he remarked that so far as ho knew European children were not suffering in this way. The Health Officer added that he was endeavouring to ascertain the length of time which elapsed, between the admission of the first patient to the hospital and if the next patient who was known to be a contact. If the period of incubation proved to be twelve days, the disease would be smallpox, but if it was twenty-one days it would be chicken-

It is understood that steps are likely to he taken at the earliest date to prevent members of the native race travelling away from their places of residence. It is also likely if other precautions are necessary that the Maoris will be prevented from travelling by the tram-cars and steamers, unless they can exhibit a permit. Several local doctors were spoken to this morning, concerning the nature of the disease. "1 am emphatically of the opinion," said one, "that the trouble is something more than chicken pox, and I am inclined to believe that the disease in Sydney may be identical with that which broke out sooner here. It is possible both outbreaks 1 have come from the same source, Vancouver."

Another doctor remarked that the significant fact was that while the Department was causing contacts to be vaccinated, its officials had not been vaccinating those who were actually suffering from the disease. In his opinion, the trouble could only be one of two things, namely, chickenpox or smallpox. If the former, vaccination was of no avail, but if the latter, it was the (most . effective method of checking the outbreak.

MINISTERIAL ASSURANCE

Wellington, July 8

Jn the House of Representatives last night, Mr Myers asked the Minister for Public Health if he could state specifically what was the exact nature of the epidemic which had broken out in Auckland, and so allay public anxiety. Mr Rhodes stated it was impossible to stato definitely what the nature of the epidemic was, as its true character was not known. ft was known that the epidemic originated in Sydney, and was believed to be a mild form of smallpox. 'J ho doctors were not, however, quite certain as to its real nature, but the House could rest assured that every precaution woulrl be taken to prevent its spread.

NATIVES ON TRAM CARS. Auckland, July 9

Acting upon instructions from the Health Department, the Tramway Company notifies that during the prevalence of the present epidemic amongst the Maoris, Natives will n~.t be allowed to travel on the train cars unless they can produce a medical certificate that they have been successfully vaccinated or that they are not liable to carry infection. The assistance of the police can be invoked if any difficulty is experienced in enforcing the order.

SYDNEY DOCTOR'S OPINION

TBy Electric Telegraph— Copyright [United Press Association.] (Received 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, July 8.

Dr. Patton, on the strength of the New Zealand wire, is of the opinion that the epidemic- among the Maoris is similar to the onthreak in Sydney, and he would not be surprised to hear that a. similar epidemic had obtained ■\ footing in other States though the strictest precautions were being taken there. All mail matter is being fumigated. The restrictions are causing a great falling off in Inter-State traffic.