PNEUMONIC INFLUENZA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1922, Page 5

PNEUMONIC INFLUENZA.

MILD CASES ON CHATHAM. VESSEL IN QUARANTINE. NORMAL POSITION IN CITIES By Telegraph.—Pres® Association. Wellington, Oct. 12. The Minister of Public Health, interviewed regarding the reported case* of influenza on board the Chatham, said that when he was advised by the Minister of Defence that the vessel whs approaching Auckland with a few cases of influenza showing pneumonia symptoms, he instructed. Dr. Frengley that Dr. Hughe*, medical officer of health at Auckland, should .proceed

with the port health officer, Dr. Sharman, to the ship and report to Wellington. Mr. Parr added: “I al»o directed that under no circumstances H was the Chatham to be granted pratiejue without reference to mysdlf and the head of the Health Department. Dr. Hughes telephoned at 10 o’clock last night that he had examined the sliip, and there were some cases of influenza with, pulmonary symptoms, although not severe. I directed that the *hip should 9>e eant to the Motuihi quarantine station where she will be detained till a clean bill «f health is prodifeed.” The Minister of Health stated to-day that pneumonic influenza is a notifiable disease. At the present time the poei-' tion is rather better than normal, indeed the figures made it clear that the present year compares more than favorably with preceding yeare. The department has had no information of any recrudescence of the epidemic in Australia, but he is asking for the latest official information from Australia. So far as New Zealand is concerned the cases are spread pretty evenly, Wellington district having rather more case* than Auckland district, while Canterbury ha* about half the cases of Wellington district. CHATHAM CASES NOT SEVERE. ' THE PATIENTS RECOVERING. Wellington, Last Night. Replying in the House to-day to M. J. Savage (Auckland West), the Hon. C. J. Parr said the cases of influenza on the Chatham were on a fair way to recovery and could not be classed as severe. The vessel had, as a precautionary measure, been sent to quarantine. There were a certain number of similar cases all over the Dominion, but the position generally was better than for the past few years. There wa* cause for watchiulness, but no cause for undue anxiety. CHATHAM’S CASES DOING WELL. Auckland, Last Night. Dr. Hughes, medical health officer, state® that of the 15 cases of sickness on thq Chatham since October 1, five are progressing toward convalescence, seven are convalescent and are practically well, and three have completely recovered. No further cases have developed since the Chatham went to quarantine this morning. Al! the men not required to work the ship were landed on Motuihi. Dr. Hughes states that during the present month three cases of pneumonic influenza have occurred in the city and 0119 in the country.