More ’Flu Cases

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 635, 11 April 1929, Page 1

More ’Flu Cases

TRACED TO MAUI POMARE

Dysentery Also Prevalent

THOUGH it is said that all precautions, including fumigation, have been taken to prevent the spread of influenza from the Maui Pomare, cases of infection traceable to the steamer exist in the city. Moreover, it is reported, despite statements to the contrary, that a number of dysentery eases exist in Auckland. Both influenza and dysentery have been notified from country districts.

After the arrival in the Waitemata of the Maui Pomare, sundry repairs to refrigerating machinery were necessary. An Auckland engineering Arm undertook the work, and men were dispatched to the vessel. It is now known that, of these men no fewer than five are at present suffering from influenza. When this fact was placed before Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health, this morning, he informed The Sun that no notification of the cases had been received by his department. •'The whole point is that influenza is not a notifiable disease,” he said. "There may be many cases in the city that we are not told about. All I can say is that a certain amount of influenza is about. I know that, because several of my own staff have been down, and their symptoms have been the same, ranging from the mildest to nearly the worst of those now at “Cintra.” FUMIGATION TOO LATE "The position regarding the Maui Pomare and the Auckland men sent to work on her, was that the job was tackled at Devonport shortly after the ship arrived. Fumigation was not carried out until after influenza had appeared among the crew and after the patients had been removed to "Cintra.” We could not fumigate while they were on the ship. "Thus the employees of the engineering firm were on board before fumigation was carried out.” Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, said he was not in a position to pass any comment about the fresh cases, nor had he inspected the ship, but he had been told that the accommodation for the men was "simply appalling,” and it was for that reason that he was so strongly in favour of a Government inquiry. FRESH CASE AT "CINTRA” There Is a fresh case at “Ci?tra.” A European passenger who arrived from Norfolk Island on the Maui Pomare was admited yesterday after having lived in a city boarding-house from the time of his arrival. His case is not serious, and the other patients are reported to be making satisfactory progress. Referring to this Dr. Hughes stated definitely that the man could not have been infected on the ship, as the period of incubation for influenza was not more than 24 hours. Obviously the disease had been contracted in the city. Mr. Wallace remarked that none of the “Cintra” patients had developed symptoms of pneumonia. One was allowed out of bed yesterday, but he could not say when they would be discharged. AT ONEWHERO A report from The Sun's correspondent at Pukekohe says that an epidemic of influenza is prevalent in the Onewhero district, no fewer than 30 residents being incapacitated. Onewhero is part of the Waikato Hospital district, and no departmental report has been received in Auckland. 'However, cases of influenza have been reported from various parts of

the province during the past six weeks,” said Dr. Hughes.

“As a matter of fact," he added, “influenza was about in the city and province before the Maui Pomare arrived." As it was at Devonport that the Maui Pomare W'as stationed while the refrigerating repairs were being carried out, and a resident of Stanley Eay who took part in the work is now a sufferer, a certain amount of anxiety exists on North Shore. CASES AT DEVONPORT The department’s health return to March 31 announces only 78 cases of infectious disease in Devonport and, of that number, 39 are diphtheria patients. On the other hand, influenza would not be included in the list as it is not among diseases requiring notification. “There were cases of influenza in Devonport before the Maui Pomare arrived,” remarked Dr. Hughes. “One of our medical staff who resides in Devonport, just above the Maui ?omare’s mooring place, was down with it." PREVALENCE OF DYSENTERY Dr. Hughes admits that there are a number of cases of dysentery throughout the Auckland Province, the existence of these having been under his notice for some time. In the Auckland Central health district 94 cases have been notified since the beginning of the year and up to April 2. Of these, 13 are cases in Auckland city. “The majority of the cases were found by the officers of the department," said Dr. Hughes. “Dysentery was made a notifiable disease only about two years ago, and I have no doubt that many other cases exist without being recognised." He added that for some little time the obvious presence of dysentery in and about Auckland had made him auxious. Accordingly, about two months ago, he met the Auckland branch of the British Medical Association and discussed the position. The need for notification of such cases was stressed. DEATH OF MAORIS The majority of the dysentery cases exist in the outside districts, particularly among Maoris, he added. Following on yesterday's report of ten deaths from the disease among Maoris in the Auckland district, The Sun’s correspondent at Pukekohe says it is reported that the Rev. Mr. Pohipi, Anglican Maori minister, had informed the Health Department of the position, but that it was very slow' to take action. However, it is now learned that the department has dispatched a nurse to the locality and that the remaining cases are progressing 4 well. DYSENTERY EPIDEMIC MAORI GIRL DIES (From Our Own Correspondent) PUKEKOHE, To-day. At an inquest to-day on the death of a Maori girl, Bella Hapi, aged 15, who died at Pukekohe yesterday, medical evidence was given that the child died of dysentery. This is the second death which has occurred in the Pukekohe district. It is reported tha.t a number of other children have contracted the epidemic.