'Flu and Mumps

Western Samoa Suffers

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Apr. 25

A MILD but widespread epidemic of in fluenza has been raging here since the middle of the month but now appears to be on the wane. About 60 per cent, of the Samoan population—par ticularly in and around Apia—has been affected and work on plantations and in offices has been at a standstill. There was difficulty also, in securing sufficient labour to work the “Matua” and schools

have been closed until May 12.

Although the present epedemic is not apparently of a serious character, health officials are naturally wary. It will be remembered that in the disasterous epi demic of 1918-19 over 7,000 Samoans (out of a population of 35,000) died from the disease.

We are also having an epedemic of mumps which although not as widespread as the influenza is sufficiently serious to make the American Samoan adminis tration impose a quarantine on shipping from this Territory.