Bone-Break Fever Relatively Rare in North Carolina, Dec. 9, 1922

Wave of Fever Is Reported as Moving North. . . Influenza Being Closely Watched, but Has Not Unexpected Strength

By Brock Barkley

Raleigh, Dec. 8—Dr. W.H. Rankin’s staff received word that the “Break-Bone” fever was coming north through Georgia and South Carolina, reports from Federal and State Health authorities showing that it was prevalent in large numbers farther South.

Dr. J.S. Mitchener, State Epidemiologist, started out questionnaires to all health organizations in the State in search of the fever in many localities. The result of the questionnaires was a comprehensive survey showing that North Carolina counties and cities were comparatively free from it. While isolated cases are reported, the disease did not approach an epidemic.

Recently the health department has been watching closely for influenza and finds that although a considerable number of cases have been found in various localities, it has not approached even last year’s situation. No fear is felt that it will again become epidemic. Study by medical authorities has shown it takes a disease which reached an epidemic form like in 1918 five or six years to completely disappear, so that outbreaks discovered thus far this year have been expected.

Diseases like the flue and “Break-bone” fever are not of the reportable class so that special surveys are necessary to keep a check on them. The North Carolina Health Department is remarkable for this work and it watches closely for outbreaks of any class of diseases as protection for the people.

From page 2 of the Asheville Citizen, Dec. 9, 1922