Six Deaths
p. 24 · Read in the full issue
Liver Disease Ravages Samoans
From Our Own Correspondent.
Apia, Aug. 28.
SAMOA has been ravaged again by an influenza epidemic affecting prac tically the whole European population and many of the natives. Fortunately it was only a mild, though extremely un pleasant, form of the disease, and with the recent change of weather has now practically disappeared.
There have been, however, some cases of a catarrhal disease of the liver among natives in the West Coast District of Upolu, chiefly in the villages of Mulifanua, Fasitootai, Vailutai and Vaimoso. The disease had a most virulent character and caused six deaths. The Medical Depart ment is investigating these cases and a post-mortem was performed on one of the victims. The cause of the disease was at first believed to be due to contamina tion of the water supply. This was, how ever, found to be incorrect, as the disease spread over a large area and to villages where the pure water of the Afega pipe line is used.
It is the first time that this disease, though observed previously in a mild form, has been found in Samoa in a viru lent form. It is hoped that the change of weather may stop a further spreading of the sickness.