INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1919, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

ITS INTRODUCTION TO SAMOA. CARRIED BY THE TALUNE, THE COMMISSION'S REPORT. The report of the Commission which inquired into the influenza epidemic has been handed to the press. The members of the Commission were Messrs George Elliot, Thomas Wilson, and William Harold Sefton Moorhouse, and they were asked to inquire into and report upon: (1) The circumstances and causes of the introduction of epidemic pneumonic influ- , enza into the islands of Western Samoa in or about the month of November, 1918, and of its extension in those islands; (2) all matters connected with the departure of the steamship Talune front the port of Auckland on or about October 30, 1918, her voyage to the said islands, and her arrival there, in respect of the bearing of those matters on the introduction of the said epidemic; (3) whether the introduction or extension of the said epidemic was caused by any negligence or default on the part of any persons in the service of the Crown, whether in respect of the Executive Government of New Zealand or in respect of the administration of the said islands of Western Samoa.

In its report the Commission states, inter alia: The whole of the evidence goes to prove that there was no epidemic pneumonic influenza in the islands of Western Samoa prior to the arrival of the Talune from Auckland on Thursday, November 7,1918 (Samoan time); that the day following its arrival'a lady passenger died of pneumonic influenza; that two days after its arrival a male passenger by die same steamer died of the same disear*. that seven days after its arrival pneumonic influenza was epidemic in Upolu; that it spread with amazing rapidity throughout Upolu, and later throughout Savaii, the other island of Western Samoa, distance from Upolu at the nearest point, about twenty miles; that up to December 31, 1918, 7542 persons died of influenza, or as a consequence of the prevalence of influenza. We would point out that it is asserted, and we believe the assertion to be true, that the deathrate, especially of natives, was so abnormally high that it might be safe to assume the total deaths in Samoa attributable to influenza totalled 8500. In addition to this, many people are, even now, suffering from the after-effects of the disease, while others are totally or partially incapacitated. In our opinion there is no doubt whatever that epidemic pneumonic influenza was introduced into Western Samoa by the s.s. Talune on November 7, 1918, Samoan time (November S New, Zealand time).

. In connection with this particular voyage, there are one qr two striking points, which we would respectfully bring before your notice: (1) That, notwithstanding the fact that influenza had broken out in a serious form in New Zealand prior to the sailing of the Talune for Apia and wayports, and was prevalent in Auckland, a clean bill of health was given to the ship, and no mention of this was, made thereon. It is true influenza was not a notifiable disease at that particular time, but, nevertheless, we are of opinion that some mention should have been made ■of the above condition on the bill of health, especially as the Talune was bound for the islands. Medical'men, at least, Bhould have known the serious susceptibilities of a native population to even minor diseases which, in the ordinary course, cause little or no mortality amongst Europeans; (2) that the fact that passengers and crew were quarantined both at Suva and Levuka was not mentioned by the captain of the ship to £he health officer at Apia; (3) that, notwithstanding the fact that influenza in New Zealand became a notifiable disease by proclamation dated November (i, 1918, no information whatever, either from the Health Department or the Defence Department, was radiographed to Samoa; (4) that at that particular time a number of New Zealand soldiers were on duty in Western Samoa; (5) that Captain Atkinson (Port Health Officer) stated that, had he known that influenza had become a notifiable disease in New Zealand, he would not have passed the ship; (6) that Captain Atkinson had no previous experience in connection with the duties of port health officer) nor had he received any instruction from the principal medical officer on the matter; (7) that both the principal medical officer, SurgeonGeneral Skerman, and Captain Atkinson, pn November 7, 1918, were unaware of the existence of any local port regulations, nor had they made any inquiries regarding same; (8) that generally, as far as regulations concerning the port are concerned—and in this report we are anxious to deal with matters inside the scope of the Commission—the utmost confusion reigned. One department carried out the law as hiid down by the Tripartite Government regulations, 18911891; another those brought into force by the German Government; while the principal medical officer considered he was working under the New Zealand regulations.

■' We are strongly of opinion that Samoa should have been informed wireless immediately influenza was, by regulation, made a notifiable disease in New Zealand; and that the Public Health Department and (or) the Defence Department failed in its duty in ignoring the fact that New Zealand was, for the time being at least, responsible for the welfare of the inhabitants of these islands, both In our opinion, it is incumbent and European and native, essential that any Government having jurisdiction over tropical countries native populations Bhould be alive to the necessity of seeing that the medical staff of such tropical countries is thoroughly organised and efficient. It seems to us that Captain Atkinson failed in his duty as port health officer in granting, or allowing the harbormaster to grant pratique to the Talune under the circumstances. Assuming his evidence to be true in every particular, he admits that the chief steward informed him, perhaps inadvertently, that the passengers were not allowed to land at Suva, but were "all right" at Levuka; and assuming that he did remember, as he says he did, coming to the conclusion that there must be something wrong in connection with the public health of Suva and not with the ship, it seems peculiar that he made no inquiries as to what was the disease which had made it necessary for the Health Officer there to quarantine the passengers. . . . We also consider that great benefit would result in the appointment under the Department of Public Health of a quarantine officer for New Zealand and its dependencies, who should have control of all matters connected with quarantine, Including controlling and advising port health officers, the clearance of inward and outward shipping, the issue- of bills of health, etc. We And that at present bills of health are procurable by shipping companies without any reference to the.

course is open to serious abuse. We Rtrongly recommend that in future all bills of health should be issued only oy the Health Department, and that the incidental expenses thereof be paid by or through this Department. Colonel Logan, in his examination, stated that lie did not understand the message to be an offer of medical assistance as far as Western Samoa was concerned, but rather assistance for Mrs. Mitchell, who was then ill with influenza. Further, as a rule all messages, other than commercial, dealing with Samoan matters came direct to him, and not through the Consul, and lie replied direct to the Governor at Pago Pago. 'When this particular radiogram was handed to him at the post oiiice he conclude! that the only matter of interest to him in it was that relating to the quarantine of' vessels before discharging or taking on board any mail or cargo.

We think Colonel Logan might easily have taken that view of the matter, as the message, without the light of afterevents being thrown upon it, was somewhat ambiguous. The people, especially the natives, were dying at a startling rate, and the call for assistance, medical or otherwise, was totally beyond the power of the handful of Europeans to respond to, when someone suggested to Colonel Logan that outside aid should be sought. The quicker assistance could be obtained the more lives would be saved; even two or three additional doctors with qualified attendants would have been of immense assistance. The nearest place was Pago Pago, within ten hours' steam of Apia, occupied by friends and allies, having at least three fully qualified medical officers with many trained orderlies, and yet assistance was not sought in this direction. Indeed, instead of asking for much-needed assistance from I Pago Pago—as we think he should have done, apart altogether from the wireless message referred to—Colonel Logan, incensed, no doubt, by the refusal of the American authorities at Pago Pago to •accept mail matter from Apia until the vessel carrying it had undergone strict quarantine for five days, by a written order dated November 28 closed down all wireless communication with Pago Pago, without informing the authorities there that he intended doing so. His excuse for this was that he had only one wireless operator physically capable of doing duty, and he considered the hour and a half during which the lines were open for Pago Pago messages could he better used by this operator for muchneeded rest.

The operator in question declares that he did not complain to anyone of overwork, a3 at this particular time he was working only six hours per day; that ht> was astonished to get such an order; that the closing down of wireless communication with Pago Pago did not shorten his hours of work; and, finally, that the average time taken per day for wireless messages between Apia and Pago Pago did- not. exceed twenty minutes, and not an hour and a half,* as stated by Colonel Logan in his sworn statement. We are of opinion that Colonel Logan either was not aware of the position at the wireless station, or'closed it against Pago Pago in a moment of exasperation. In his evidence, the officer in charge of the wireless station of Apia stated:'"According to international custom, it is quite irregular to close down on any station. There is an obligation to communicate with all stations."

With regard to the girls' school, evidence regarding which has previously been published, the Commissioners state that they ''are of opinion that Colonel Logan acted hastily and without a full appreciation of the facts "

( Regarding the Medical Department, the Commission expresses the opinion that there was a certain amount of confusion and lack of administrative ability, but the principal medical ollicer and doctors under him individually did splendid work, and no praise is too high to mark their devotion and self-sacrifice."

The report states later that "Colonel Logan did splendid work in visiting the native villages, seeing to the feeding of the native population, and personally burying the dead." Finally, the Commissioners point out "That in reading this report it must be borne in mind that the Dominion, during the period under review, was absorbed and had her whole attention focussed on the influenza in New Zealand; and, further, that it is easy to criticise, in the light of after events, the conduct of individuals in a time of extreme distress."