INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

A VIRULENT RECURRENCE. LIKELY TO EQUAL OCTOBER OUTBREAK. HIGH DEATH RATE IN IRELAND. Received Feb. 24, 9.50 p.m. London, Feb. 20. There is every indication that the prel* cut influenza epidemic will be likely to equal that of last October, which rt« suited in 150,000 deaths. Hundreds of fresh cases are hourly reported. Doctor* are overworked and there is t great shortage of nurses. The outbreak in the south of Ireland continues to spread alarmingly, with • high death rate. Some doctors are com* plaining of the scarcity of whisky anj brandy, and assert that more spirit! would save thousands of lives. The deaths include Tom Ball, the interna* tional golfer.—Times Service. THE LATEST RECORDS. Melbourne, Feb. 24. There were 21 deaths during thj week-end. Sydney, Feb. 24-Open-air services were held by.all tht churches yesterday for relief froSI drought anil the influenza epidemic. There were two deaths from influenza during the week end.

The Government has announced tha4 unless evidence shows that the epidemU is spreading the restrictions will be r& moved within a week,—Aus.-N.Z. Cabtal Assn. THE EPIDEMIC COMMISSION.

Auckland, L«ist Night. Giving evidence before the Epidemic Commission, Mr. J. H. Ounson, Mayoi of Auckland, urged that the port health officers of the four centres of the Do» minion be given a higher status than that held at present. Ho said that, i# view of the crave importance front tbl community standpoint of the work ot the medical officers at the port, thii work should be discharged by the moat able men who could be drawn from th 4 profession. He thought, in the first place, the salaries paid for work of thi* kind were obviously such that it would only draw the services of those who would not claim to be at the top of their profession. In view of the Interests involved, and the aftermaith of war cond!< tions, the status of the chief health officers for the four principal ports of thi* Dominion should be raised to that of tho services of the best professional skill which could be obtained. MOKE DEATHS AT MELBOURNE. Received Feb. 24, 8.45 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 24. There were ten deaths from influenzt to-day. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.