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Lessons from History the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic
The time spanning 1918 through 1919 marks one of the world's darkest moments that history has seemed to have forgotten. As the American armed forces joined the Allies to combat the enemy of World War I, another enemy, even more fierce and deadly, was lurking across the world. The world was about to see the deadliest influenza outbreak ever. By the end of the pandemic, it is estimated that some 20 to 100 million people died worldwide. More people died of the flu in a single year than in four years of the Bubonic Plague ("Black Death") from 1347-1351. The Influenza of 1918-1919 killed more people than World War I. It has been estimated that every 85 out of 100 deaths among American soldiers during the war was due to influenza. In 1918 on March 4th, the flu was first observed at Fort Riley, Kansas. By March 11th, it was observed in Queens, New York. Just as Americans thought that the flu that harshly hit during the spring was over, a second wave began. In August, a more virulent strain appeared simultaneously in Brest, France; in Freetown, Sierre Leone in Africa; and in Boston, Massachusetts. It traveled by boat to far off remote areas, including Iceland, Alaska, and New Zealand. By November of 1918, the pandemic spread throughout Spain. Being that Spain was not involved with World War I, its newspapers were not under wartime censorship. Hence, the flu gained much press in Spain and resulted in many of the Allies referring to the flu as "The Spanish Flu." As the flu ravaged the bodies of many, it was not uncommon to fall sick in the morning and be dead by that evening. A purple coloring of the skin occurred as the lungs filled with fluid, diminishing circulation and oxygen flow throughout the body. Some began to call the flu "Purple Death." Everyday life was disrupted. People were encouraged not to gather in large crowds. Churches, schools, and theaters closed in attempt to encourage people to stay home. Even the circus stopped touring from town to town. However, in some places large crowds gathered. Based on inaccurate information that the influenza bug was identified, Philadelphia proceeded with its plans for a war bond campaign. On September 28th, two hundred thousand people in Philadelphia gathered for the Fourth Liberty Loan Drive parade stretching along 23 city blocks. The crowds sang out patriotic songs as the parade marched on and as they were encouraged to buy bonds to support the war effort. In the days that followed the parade, influenza exploded throughout Philadelphia. On October 1st, 635 new cases were reported on this single day. By the end of the week on October 5th, 700 died from the flu and by the end of the following week, over 4,500 died. This was common throughout other cities as well. Businesses shut down and stores closed as for there were no workers. Everyone was feeling the effects of the pandemic. Coffins were in short supply and all able laborers were put to work digging graves. Those victimized by the flu were told to put their names on a waiting list for a coffin. Within their play, children would jump rope singing: I had a little bird its name was Enza I opened the window and in flew Enza Every aspect of life was changed. However, as mysteriously as the influenza pandemic began, it disappeared. Perhaps the influenza ran out of victims as people either already had the flu or had a natural immunity to it. The war ended and people began to put their lives back in order. Perhaps the devastating effects of the flu was forgotten in history as a way for Americans to restore some sense of normalcy. However, it is important to consider history as we prepare for the next great pandemic. The difference is that today, as individuals and communities, we have time to prepare!
a collaborative effort of Pat Walker Health Center Environmental Health and Safety U of A Bookstore
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