Diphtheria In Port Moresby
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Pt. Moresby, May 2.
IN a broadcast to the people of Papua- New Guinea, the Director of Public Health (Dr. John Gunther) to-day an nounced that diphtheria had broken out in Papua. Two children had died, he said, and others were in hospital. Cases had been reported from the Moresby, Abau and Samarai areas.
Explaining that diphtheria was unusual in the tropics, and had not, to his know ledge, been previously found in these areas. Dr. Gunther said that some places were without the appropriate serums for the treatment of the disease, or for immunisation from it. Supplies would be distributed from Port Moresby as soon as possible, he added.
Dr. Gunther then announced plans for the immunisation of children in the Moresby area. He urged all parents to have children immunised immediately, and to report sore throats without delay.