Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Monday 21 November 1949, page 1


PNEUMONIA KILLED

EIGHT REFUGEE BABIES AT BAGNOLI CAMP

NAPLES, Sunday.

Pneumonia and stomach disorders have, killed eight refugee babies during the past eight weeks at the Bagnoli refugee camp near Naples. Nearly all of them belonged to families from German and Austrian camps awaiting passage to Australia in International Refugee Organisation ships.

I.R.O. medical officials said the deaths followed an epidemic of measles at Bagnoli which filled the camp hospitals to over-flowing.

Officials added, that the, baby population among the camp is 8,000 refugees had risen to nearly 800 more than the camp had ever scheduled for, because of delays caused by the I.R.O. decision not to transport children under one year old.

I.R.O. officials in Rome announced three new measures to protect the health of refugees on their way through Italy to Australia and America. Firstly, food calorie level to be raised in Italian camps from 2080 calories daily to 2380. "Secondly, kitchens on trains bringing refugees from Germany and Austria to be used exclusively for feeding children. Adults will be fed at fixed points on the way. Thirdly, families in the Bagnoli camp will in future live together.

Hitherto, men have been segregated and mothers and children have lived as many as 14 in one room, thereby facilitating the spread of disease among children.