MEASLES EPIDEMIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1938, Page 4

MEASLES EPIDEMIC

POSITION IN MASTERTON STILL GOOD. Although measles are still very prevalent in the Auckland and other districts of New Zealand, so far the disease does not appear to have obtained much of a hold in Masterton. There are about five cases among children attending the Central School and although a number of other cases are known, including adults, there is so far no suggestion of an epidemic. The disease is much more prevalent in the South Wairarapa. The Health Department is keeping a close watch on the situation and parents are urged to take every reasonable precaution.

PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY. “I would like to stress the’ necessity of not treating this disease. too lightly owing to the grave danger of serious complications following, such as pneumonia, if patients are allowed out of bed too soon,” said Mr T. A. Russell, Borough Sanitary Inspector, today, referring to the outbreak of the disease, which, he said, was not notifiable. The school rules are as follow: — Patient: Period of exclusion from school. For at least two weeks from the date of the appearance of rash and until convalescence is satisfactorily established. Contacts: Period of exclusion from school. (1) If the child has had the disease not to be excluded except in so far as is provided hereunder in paragraph 3. (2) If the child has not had the disease until 16 days from the occurrence of the last case. (3) If the disease is not epidemic when the first cases occur in a school all children from an infected home to be excluded from the school until 16 days from the occurrence of last case.