DEATHS FROM DYSENTERY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 6

DEATHS FROM DYSENTERY

TEN MAORIS IN FORTNIGHT LITTLE IN AUCKLAND During the past fortnight ten deaths have occurred from dysentery among Maoris in South Auckland. The disease is fairly prevalent at present. The disease was first reported early in January and cases occurred as near the city as Avondale and Orakei. The outbreak did not give cause for great alarm and was fairly well under control until the large Maori gathering was held in Ngaruawahia, commencing on March 16 and continuing for several days. Although sanitary precautions were taken at the camp, the congregation of so many natives spread the disease and it was carried back into the native settlements when the gathering dispersed. The Health Department is finding it difficult to cope with the trouble owing to the reluctance! of the Maoris to notify cases and seek advice. An inspector, nurses and a native inspector have been sent into 'the district chiefly affected, the Lower Waikato, and their efforts have been to teach the natives correct methods of tieatment and sanitation. Assistance has been given in nursing and visits have also been paid by subsidised doctors. Everything possible is being done to trace cases and treat them against the obstacles of native apathy or secretiveness. The Auckland medical officer of health, Dr. T. J. Hughes, stated this morning that there was very little dysentery in Auckland at present. Between March 22 and April 2 only two cases had been notified in the city and three in one suburb. There had been 94 cases altogether this year in the central Auckland district. Since April 2 only one notification had been received, and that was the death of a case in Clevedon which has been notified last last month.