’Flu Kills Natives

Epidemic In Duke of York Group

THERE has been a serious epidemic of pneumonic influenza among the na tives in the Duke of York Islands, which is a small group in the Territory of New Guinea, between New Ireland and New Britain. In many cases, it is re ported, the natives died only two or three days after contracting the sick ness.

There is a total population in the group of about 3,500, and over 100 deaths occurred within a short time.

A European medical assistant visited the group at the end of December and was then distributing medicine among the natives. We understand that, at that date, there were indications of the abate ment of the epidemic.