INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1918, Page 2

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

j MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH. i ALIVE TO THE GRAVITY OF POSITION, By Telegraph.—Press Association, Auckland, Nov. 5 At least sixteen more deaths have occurred. Sixty-five hospital nurses are down, filling two wards. Forty soldiers in annexe are affected. There were 015 applications to-day for medical assistance and 30 serious cases were admitted to tho hospital. The extremely serious nature of tho epidemic ilias been impressed upon the Minister for Public Health so forcibly, that, instead of returning to Wellington to-night, lie decided to remain here until all arrangements for fighting the disease are in hand. Interviewed, tlie Minister said: "In view of the very serious nature of the position, I have communicated with; the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, urging tho provision of an increase to tlie fullest extent of medical men beyond the ten already sent and promised. Three doctors have arrived with Dr Frengley the Chief Health Officer. Two others were released in Auckland by the Defence Department and now the examination of recruits in the North, Island has been stopped, releasing four more. I am seeking the assistance of further doctors, in addition to these ten, so that, the people may ieceivo treatment in their own homes in the early stages of the disease, and thus lessen the demands upon the hospital for accommodation after the disease sias developed to the serious stage. The Minister for Defence has also been requested to release all chemists in camp and every effort is being made to obtain nurses from other parts of the North Island. The Minister appeals for more women to help the fighting forces, also for people with motor cars to carry food from the Women's National Reserve rooms to the families in distress. Referring to other steps taken, Mr Russell said they could not all be disclosed, until they had the approval of authorij ties iji Wellington. The Chief Health Officer, the District Health Officer and [himself, however, were unanimous as to the gravity of the position.

SPREADING AT GISBORNE. Gisborne, Nov. 5. The number of influenza cases is increasing daily and the hospital is crowded. Sixty-one cases are in the institution to-day. Sixteen nurses, out of a staff of thirty-four are down with influenza. As a result of the appeal of the hospital authorities, several ladies volunteered. to give assistance in nursing in the institution. The Borough Council has decided to disinfect the tramcars thrice a day and to ask the school committees to consider the advisability of closing the schools and also urge parents to prohibit their children from attending picture shows. Since Sunday two deaths have occurred in the hospital oi double pneumonia, due to influenza

RAILWAY STAFF AFFECTED. Wellington, Nov. 6. In view of the serious effect the influenza epidemic has had upon the R® l '" way Department staff, a railway official states that probably it will be necessary materially to curtail both the goods asd passenger services in the North IslandThree hundred members of the running staff alone are ill at present. The Pacific cable steamer Iris, which had been repairing one of the Cook Strait cables, arrived in Wellington with 39 members of the ship's company down with influenza. Two developed acute pneumonia asd were' removed to the hospital. The Minister of Defence stated, that, in response to the appeal, ten doctors had gone to Auckland, asd three more would follow. He hoped also to release some dispensers at present in camp. Auckland, Nov. 0. There are 200 cases of influenza in hospita, oslv the more serious cases being admitted. Eighty nurses are down, also four doctors. Thirty volunteer and live expert nurses are assisting, but more help is needed. The Board of Education passed a resolution recommending that all secondary schoools, as well as" primary schools, theatre?, picturo shows, churches, and other public meetingplaces should be cosed.