500 Deaths

Whooping Cough Epidemic Ravages Samoans

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 4.

THE whooping cough epidemic, which started to spread in Apia and out side districts about a month ago, con tinues to rage with undiminished force, taking a heavy toll of lives, especially among Samoan infants.

The number of infants who have fallen victim to the disease is estimated at about 150 in and around Apia and about 350 in outside districts and Savaii. As the disease is only in the first stages in South Upolu and Savaii, the mortality is ex pected to rise still higher.

The many deaths are chiefly among native Samoans, while European children are less affected. In certain Apia and West Coast villages funerals of children are a daily occurrence. There seems to be no effective remedy or cure against the whooping cough.

Communication between the islands of Upolu and Savaii, which as a preventive measure had been interrupted, has now been resumed. Quarantine regulations are still in existence between American Samoa and Western Samoa.

The Administration has been informed that there is an epidemic of typhoid fever at Pago Pago (American Samoa), so at present there are no prospects of lifting the existing ban.