The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-05-10

American military forces in North
Africa have come through almost
untouched by the dread typhus
fever which was rampant in that
region in 1912, with more than
100, 900 cases, and Is still serious
menace to the health of the civilian
population, according to the Stats
ticians of the Metropolitan Life In
surance Company For this condi-
ton which exists in epidemic form
in countries as far separated as
Morocco and Poland, and for the
first time in many years has ap-
peared even In Germany itself, the
Na1s are either directly or indirect
ly responsible, the statisticians de-
clare and go on to say:
1.-THE outlook for civilian popula-
tons of eastern Europe with respect
to typhus is grave, and to certain
extent the same holds true for
some of the Axis armies. 1t Is
doubtful, however, whether typhuS
fever will affect the immediate
course of the war.
"As for North Africa, despite the
prevalence of the disease before and
since our occupation. our military
forces have been quite unaffected,
only a handful Of cases being re-
ported among them. And 1t is like
ly that this favorable experience
will continue, because our military
physicians are alert to the dangers
our troops run"
Beyond Peak
1t Is explained that typhus fever
continues to claim large toll of
lives abroad, although the advent Of
spring usually finds the disease past
its annual peak. But when the dis
ease is Of epidemic form the num-
Der of cases may continue to in
crease until even later than May.
"At the present time" 1t is pointed
out, "a potentially dangerous stu
alton exists in battle zones and in
the occupied regions Of eastern Eu-
rope, whose starved and ragged
populations are fertile soil for the
spread of the disease. But the facts
for those areas are carefully con-
cealed by German censorship. IN
deed, numerous cases OF typhus are
being reported in areas OF CONT
mental Europe which for genera
tons have been free from the dis
ease. Germany itself is the out
standing example"
In 1912, "typhus fever ragged
throughout North Africa" In
French Morocco there were $4,000
cases reported; in Algiers, more
than $4,000; and in Tunisia, more
than 10000 cases. The disease was
also rampant in Tripoli and Libya,
but exact data are not available be-
cause OF military operations. In
Egypt about $4,000 cases were re-
ported in 1912. THUS" the statisti-
clans say, lin North Africa alone
more than 100000 cases OF typhus
occurred during 1912, the greatest
in many years, with the situation
particularly bad In those areas
which had been impoverished and
despoiled by the Nazis."
In some parts of North Africa,
however, the situation at present is
better than year ago, although
there are more cases than In pre-
war years, the statisticians explain.
And 1t Is likely" they say, that as
result of the Allied occupation the
typhus situation in all Of North
Africa will be brought under con-
troll as normal health services are
restored and as more food becomes
available
Describing typhuS conditions In
the countries Of eastern Europe, the
statisticians point out that;
War ScOurge
In Germany each quarter Of 1912
showed a stable increase over 1941
and figures released for the first
seven weeks Of 1943 show a total of
800 cases, or nearly twice the num-