INFLUENA SCOURGE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10303, 12 January 1927, Page 5

INFLUENA SCOURGE

N.z. HEALTH MINISTER MAKES INQUIRIES MAN’f CASESIN EUROPE. BUT DEATH RATE NOT HIGH. NO OUTBREAK OF*MAGNITUDE IN BRITAIN. mu ir- WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. Ihe Minister of Health, Mr J. A. loung, on Friday cabled the High Lomniissioner asking him to consult the British Ministry of Health and cable advice as to the distribution and extent of the influenza epidemic in Europe, and whether the cases were of the 1918 pandemic type, or of a type such as New Zealand experienced recently, more .particularly in 192<J and 1926. The following reassuring message has been received: “The figures for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Hungary show no noteworthy increase, but increases are reported from France and Switzerland. There were 55 deaths in Paris for the fortnight ended December 26. In Switzerland there was a large increase in cases, 513 to 4107, for the same period, but there are few deaths. In England and Wales there have yet been no outbreaks of any magnitude, hut as usual at this time of the year colds are fairly prevalent though the death returns, 105 in the great towns, show that they are not cf a serious nature. The type so far shows no resemblance to that prevalent in 1918, the mortality mainly being confined to people of advanced age.’’—P.A.

SERIOUS IN SWITZERLAND

OVER 3SQO PATIENTS AT BASLE

GENEVA, Jan. 10. The influenza epidemic continues to be very serious, though the deaths are chiefly coniined to children or aged people. The deaths include an Australian boy, Henry Moreton, of Brisbane. There are 3847 patients at: Basle aIone.—A.N.Z.C.A.

WIRELESS MEDICAL BULLETIN

TO BE CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT WORLD (United Pa-ess Assn.—Copyright.) (Received Jan. 11, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 10. In response to many requests, notably from the United States and Australia, a wireless medical bulletin will be circulated throughout the world_ from Geneva by the League of Nations, says the Daily Chronicle, giving the. latest facts about the influenza epidemic sweeping Europe.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

SERIOUS EPIDEMIC IN EUROPE

‘NOT LIKELY TO REACH NEW * ZEALAND.”

The wave of influenza which a cable message received from London yesterday stated was sweeping over Europe, is similar to that experienced in New Zealand last winter and with greater severity during the winter months of 1920 according to the Director of Public Hygiene, Dr. T. McKibbin. “Influenza,” stated Dr. T. McKibbin to a Dominion reporter recently, “was prevalent in England and Western Europe and North America last winter, not with anything like the severity of the pandemic of 191 S-19, but sufficient-to take toll of many old and young persons. The last epidemic of this disease in New Zealand was in 1920, in which year 480 deaths , occurred from influenza, and 528 from pneumonia. The epidemic which Europe is now experiencing appears to be the common winter type of influenza with pneumonia in severe form. It is unlikely that the Dominion will will be affected before next winter, or late autumn, if at all . It cannot' he too often pointed out that the socalled influenza epidemic in 1918 had 'seme very special features. . It occurred here in the summer months, affected the middle-aged and robust, rather than the aged and young; caused haemorrages and heliotrope coloured face, and clinically, in many respects was totaly different from the influenza, with pneumonia, usually experienced.” Dr. McKibbin stated that although the figures may appear large, the huge populations of the European cities and countries had to be considered. Madrid, with a population of 1,122,000 had as many a 5,94 deaths in one week. The message stated that 100,000 people were affected in the south of, France, and that there had been 20,000 cases in Berlin. Berlin had a population of approximately 4.000,000,’ and of course that of the south of France was very great. Certainly, Montpellier, a town in Southern France, with a population of only 81.000, appeared to be suffering severely, since it was reported that the deaths averaged 20 a day. Howe'er, it might- be that the Montpellier hospitals provided for a' vide district and served a large pophlation. The figures appeared to indicate that Europe’s visitation was somewhat more severe than New Zealand experienced last winter, but up .to the presept the indications were that the epidemic did not approach the teil'ibie pandemic of 1918 in severity. That epidemic occurred in the Dominion from November 1 to the end of December, and caused 6.716 deaths in New Zealand, and it is estimated ■it Ml million throughout the world. “Briefly,” added Dr. McKibbin, “the position can be summed up as beinf"severe in Europe, but nothing approaching the epidemic of 1918 and there is no apparent danger to New Zealand. We expect influenza more in the winter months and the time taken in the voyage from Europe to the Dominion is very much .greater than the incubation period of the disease which Is a matter of a few davs.” .