Quarantine-Conscious

Samoans In Paralysis Panic

THE outbreak of infantile paralysis in New Zealand caused something near to panic in Western Samoa.

Samoans, who remember the disastrous influenza epidemic of 1918, when between 8,000 and 9,000 Samoans lost their lives, have some justification for demanding precautions; but their preparations to meet the present threat bordered on the hysterical, and caused round-tripping “Matua” passengers some amusement when that vessel called at Apia.

There have been severe epidemics of infantile paralysis in New Zealand be fore, but there has never been an out break in Western Samoa. Generally, this disease, at least in epidemic form, is confined to temperate climates.

After a hurried meeting of the Samoan Fono on December 10, Samoan leaders demanded that all ship and plane travel from New Zealand and other infected areas, to Western Samoa, should be banned. After some controversy, in which the Administrator pointed out that Western Samoa would under those cir cumstances probably be shut off from the rest of the world for months, a less drastic isolation was agreed to, on- the understanding that the Administrator personally accepted full responsibility for keeping the disease out of the Terri tory.

On this note the “Matua” duly arrived from Suva and Auckland on December 23 and sailed on December 27. No pas sengers or crew were allowed ashore and the ship was worked bv labour which had been brought from Fiji.

Samoan police kept close watch on the ship to see that there was no contact made with the shore. As there is no wharf in Apia and vessels anchor out, this was comparatively easy.

A police launch with a searchlight kept up a patrol around the ship; and two members of the “Matua’s” crew who braved the sharks to take a swim near her were arrested for “polluting” the harbour.

An hour after the “Matua” anchored, much to the amusement of through pas sengers, Samoans dressed in surgical gowns and masks and equipped with dis infectant, stirrup pump and bucket ar rived alongside in a boat to take the mail off. As each mail bag was lowered into their boat the Samoans sprayed it with the disinfectant but those watch ing from on board noted that the bags were sprayed on one side only!

The regular air-service from New Zea land has been suspended altogether. A plane from Australia, via Fiji, landed, however, on December 14. it brought two new medical officers to the Territory —Drs. Bliss and Frost, late of the Indian Medical Service who will have an opportunity of studying the Samoan medical situation at first hand, from the inside looking out. Immediately upon arrival they were put into quarantine for a fortnight!