SEVENTY-FOUR DEATHS AT SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 September 1918, Page 4

SEVENTY-FOUR DEATHS AT SEA.

ON NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORT, * EPIDEMIC AMONG “FORTIETHS.’* WELLINGTON, Sept 17. Sir James Allen reports that, as the result of an outbreak of influenzaon a transport conveying the 40th. Reinforcements, 65 deaths occurred atsea and nine after landing. FURTHER 1 PARTICULARS. WELLINGTON, Sept 17.. Sir James Allen stated to-day that he deeply regretted that deaths had been caused by an epidemic of influenza among the 40th Reinforcements The list showed that 65 men died at sea, and nine died later on. There was also a considerable number still sick. He had cabled for further information. All that was known at present was that when the ship called at a distant port a message reporting; “health good” was received here, anffi that was the last till the ship reached the United Kingdom. He was not aware that the vessel had touched at any other port in continuation of voyage, but it was quite certain that the epidemic could not have had its origin from any conditions prevailing at the time of departure from New Zealand, nor when the ship was reported “health good.” The outbreak came from causes subsequent to that time. The deaths were due to an epidemic of influenza with pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Thq epidemic was not confmSd to the New Zealand transport; the whole convoy was affected. Fortunately there were two medical officers' and ten nurses on the transport, so that one could anticipate that every care and attention was given to patients. He very greatly regretted these casualties, and expressed hs deep sympathy with the next of kin. i

A. reporter who enquired as to the precautions taSen before a transport is used for reinforcements, was assured that every care was taken to see that the ship' was thoroughly clean. The Director-General of Medical Services (Surgeon-General Henderson)’ stated that he personally inspected vessels, and noted any structural alterations or refitting required in the interests of troops. There was a thorough cleaning of a ship so that new troops might incur no danger of infection. • :

Sir James Allen has received following report from the DirectorGeneral of Medical Services here on the epidemic among the Fortieth Reinforcements; —• ' ‘' • Vi

During the period of their training here there was very little sickness among the Fortieth Reinforcements, orily one infectious case (scarle%'£ever) having occurred among them.' ; At the first two ports of call we had reports from the ship, and up till them the health was good. From this it is obvious that no infection was carried from New Zealand, since in five weeks that elapsed from the departure to the port of call any outbreak would have had full time for development. Nor can there have been anything Inherent in the sanitary condition of the ship, otherwise fEe effects would have been apparent before reaching the port of call. The earliest death occurred nearly three weeks after leaving that port of call.