'flu epidemic
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
New Guinea 'flu epidemic wanes
New Guinea’s worst epidemic in peacetime history appears to be over —the total known deathtoll, a little over 2,000.
The epidemic—Hong Kong influenza virus A 2 with pneu monia complications —hit hard est in the Southern Highlands District, and made brief and late appearances in Western Papua and the Sepik Districts of New Guinea.
Australian and New Guinean servicemen thrown into the fight against the epidemic, have begun with drawing in strength.
At Tari in the Southern Highlands, 300 plumed and grateful Huri tribesmen turned up with pigs, bananas and sweet potatoes for an official “thank you” feast for PIR and Australian troops.
The burial of the dead became a serious practical and
health hazard in some areas, but most districts are now staggering back to normal.
Cost of the anti-flu fight run s into hundreds of thousands of dollars, including cost of vaccine, some of which was flown by the Australians to Indonesian West Irian.
Expensive or not this High lander looked a bit ill with the thought of having to take his vaccine in the arm. So did his friend, as an RAAF helicopter pilot and an army doctor administer the needle during the height of the New Guinea epidemic.