PLAGUE PREVENTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1921, Page 4

PLAGUE PREVENTION.

The necessity for taking stringent precautions against the introduction of the bubonic plague into New Zealand is, fortunately, well recognised; hence the important conference that was held at Wellington on the subject on Tuesday. According to the Chief Health Officer (Dr. Valintine) the Dominion is, so far as is known, free from plague-infected rats, which are the chief agents for spreading the disease, as bites from fleas from these rodents are capable of conveying the plague to human beings, with fatal results. It is no easy matter, under such circumstances, to prevent the introduction of this virulent plague ipto any country to which vessels come from an overseas port where it is present. Nothing but the most stringent precautions against, rats from those vessels coming ashore can be effective. Moreover, it is apparent that a ruthless war of extermination on rats is essential. The waterside workers are particularly concerned in these precautionary measures, and even though inconvenience and expense may be caused to shipping in consequence of drastic means being taken to guard against this plague, they must be rigidly observed The shipping companies, it is satisfactory to note, are taking all the precautions suggested by the Health Department. The gazetting of regulations which are to be approved by those concerned will take place, and the meeting decided that harbor boards at all ports should be constituted the authorities for administering same, the expenditure thereon being a national and not a local charge. This is a fitting provision, and thoroughly justified, for it is a matter that concerns the people generally, and no price is too high to keep the plague from entering the country. The prompt action of the authorities is most commendable, and should certainly allay any anxiety that would otherwise have arisen, while it should give a stimulus to activities directed towards rat extermination. Safety lies in unceasing vigilance.