INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1919, Page 4

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

POSITION IN CANTERBURY. By Telegraph.—Pre3s Association. Christchurch, May S An influenza bulletin issued today states that there arc 22 cases iii-*..u.-tcrbury as follows:—North CaiHT„.ny !), Ash'burton 7, one severe- S'H.i; Canterbury 0, two pneumonic. -\o licams have occurred. On his return from the Ki" On, Or. Chesson declined to make a mui.ii>.'.it regarding the period the vessel, v.'ill '•■; quarantined. All that can be nsea'V.'.in-j ed is that the vessel is quarantini'd till further notice. Seven men wili In- M-ut to Quail Island, consisting of an influenza patient and six men m,taring from mumps. C'hristchurch, Last Night. It is officially announced thai the transport Kia Ora will berth at l.viieiton at daylight to-morrow niomlnj!. Ti.e South Canterbury, Otago and NusitMmiil men will leave Lyttelton by a train at 8 a.m. The influenza contacts-are beat;' removed to Quail Island, and the m.imjM cases to the Bottle Lake Hospital.

A DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE. Christchurch, Last Night. The public's response to the offer of tlw authorities at Christchurch Hospital to vaccinate against influenza at a small charge, or, if necessary, free, has been so disappointing that the scheme to re-lieve-a member of the medical staff from all other duties for four hours a day will be discontinued at the end of the week. Mr. Wharton, secretary of the Hospital Board, stated to-day that the result of the experiment was disappointing, simply because the puhlic would nit ii - advantage of the authorities' scheme. In the Old Country vaccination had staved off general attacks of influenza, and he was convinced it would do so here. , The public were awake to the necessity for precautions.

FATAL CASE AT THAMES. Thames, Last Night. A fatal case of pneumonic influenza oe» curred at the Thames Hospital yesterday. No similar cases have been reported, but the Hospital Board is taking precautionary measures. THE KOMATA DELAYED. Wellington. May 8. The Komata was to leave Wellington last evening for Westport with several passengers. A fireman, John Farnham, was suspected of influenza and was removed to the hospital and the vessel layed. It was deemed advisable to postpone sailing. The man is being treated for influenza. The ship has been fumigated and the crew subjected to a severe mdical examination. The sailing date is indefinite, probably not for several days.

THREE DEATHS RECENTLY. Wellington, May S. During the four days May 1-4 39 cases of influenza were notified in the Dominion. In the Auckland district there were 8 cases, all mild; Wellington, 13 casea, including one pneumonic at New Plymouth and one at Elth&m; Canterbury, 18 cases, including four pneumonic in Christchurch and suburbs, and three severe cases in Timaru and Pareora districts. There were no notifications in Otago. There have been three deaths from influenza recently, one at Pab.ia.tua, on April 27, one at Marton, and one at Spreydon, both on May 1. To-day the temperature of each man on the s.s. Manuka was taken, and the pronouncement in each case was normal. Over 20 contacts are to rejoin the Manuka to-morrow. There are at present 9 case* in the hospital on Somes Island, three or four being very severe, and there are five convalescents. There is a complete staff on the island, including three nurses and orderlies, and everything possible is being done tor the patients. * The steamer Komata was not placed in quarantine. A man from this vessel was sent to the hospital, and after his removal the ship was fumigated. She will now be allowed to proceed on her jour-

LIFTING RESTRICTIONS. Sydney. May 8, Ihe Medical Council, in view of the marked improvement in the influenza epidemic; recommended lifting all restnotions ou outdoor assemblages only retaining masking in indoor assemblages, trams, trams, and ferries. Tin. council warns the' public of the piobabilily of a recrudescence of the disease, and of the necessity of the Utmost care to avoid infection.