RISK TO CHILDREN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 314, 21 December 1936, Page 5

RISK TO CHILDREN

INFANTILE PARALYSIS. CLOSING OF CAMPS. Health Department Taking All Precautions. Press Association —Copyright. Wellington, To-day. The opinion that the Health Department, on account of the outbreak of infantile paralysis, should open as many health camps as possible instead of closing them, was expressed by a medical officer interviewed in Auckland, but is not supported by the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, who made the following statement: —

“Poliomyelitis, as is well known, is pre-eminently' a disease of children and health camps therefore would make a particularly favourable soil for the spread of the disease if the virus was- once introduced. “The history of the present Dunedin outbreak is that for some time three or four weeks before the first case of paralysis was notified a febrile condition of uncertain character had been widespread throughout the community. The symptoms generally were so mild that medical advice was not sought. In light of subsequent events, it is now considered that this obscure illness represented the first, phase of the epidemic. “Until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Department that the present oubreak is localised to Dunedin, it is regarded as most undesirable, if not dangerous, to allow the congregation of children collected from different parts of the city or a province. Poliomyelitis may vary from a minor illness which clears up rapidly to a serious condition with high temperature, paralysis, or even death. It is therefore not inconceivable that a child suffering from a minor form of the disease might be | introduced into a camp where there would be unlimited opportunities for the spread of the infection.

Adult Carrier. 1 ■ “Daily* inspections by qualified nurses would eliminate cases once they had occurred, but would give no assistance in detecting children recovering from minor attacks or carriers, who are regarded as playing a prominent part in the spread of the disease. There is also the further possibility that an adult who is wholly* immune to the disease may yet be a carrier and introduce the disease into the camp, and spread it among this most susceptible portion of the population." Dr. Watt added that though the Department, which’ had experience or two former epidemics of poliomyelitis, could not agree that health camps should be opened nt present, the public could be sure that permission to hold them would be given as soon as it was regarded as safe to do so. The health camp at Otaki is being opened on Tuesday to 41 orphan children of the Wellington Salvation Army home. The reason for this is that the children would be congregated together in any case, and they will have at the camp the advantages of a holiday and healthy’ surroundings. Only children from the Wellington home ,who have already been in contact with each other, will attend. They will stay, probably three weeks and the camp will be closed to visitors.

Religious Sect In Camp At Methven. Press Association —Copyright. Ashburton, December 18. Methven residents are alarmed, in view of the infantile paralysis menace, at the holding of a camp in the vicinity by members of the Coneyite religious sect from all parts of the Dominion. People already assembled total 260 and the numbers are increasing daily. The county inspector found 50 to 60 under 21 years of age, there being many children in arms. It is proposed that the camp should continue for some time. The inspector has communicated with the health officer, who will place the matter before the Minister.

Abandonment Of Beach Gala advised. Press Association —Copyright. Christchurch, December 18. Although there has been no definite diagnosis of infantile paralysis, a