The Flu Epidemic1918

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The Spanish Flu

The Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 and 1919 was a viral infection that spread quickly across the globe. Also called La Grippe and the Spanish flu, the Spanish influenza outbreak is still considered the most devastating pandemic in recorded history.

Flu Epidemic

Spanish Flu

• Fact: The Spanish influenza pandemic killed between 20 and 40 million individuals, which was higher than the death toll credited to World War I. More people died from Spanish influenza in one year than in all four years of the Bubonic Plague (1347 to 1351).

Flu Epidemic

• The Flu Epidemic was often referred to as the Spanish Flu—not because the Flu originated there but because Spain, a neutral nation during WWI, released reports about it.

• Nations involved in the War were hesitant to report on the issue fearing that it would crush citizen morale.

Flu Epidemic

• On March 11, 1918, the Flu broke out in Fort Riley, Kansas, among some 100 soldiers. A few days later, 500 prisoners at San Quentin succumbed to similar symptoms. Because the US was so preoccupied with the War, little was done.

Flu Epidemic

• When American “doughboys” crossed the Atlantic to Europe, they brought the deadly disease with them.

• The deadliest wave of the epidemic came in September of 1918 in Boston as men began to mobilize for War came into contact with others. In October alone, 200,000 Americans would die as a result of infection.

Flu Epidemic

• Average life expectancy drops by almost 15 years.

• Unlike a typical strain of flu—which target the elderly or the very young—this strain attacked those between 20-40 years old. This amounts to 1/5 of the world’s population.

Flu Epidemic

• That America was engaged in a World War provided a convenient target upon which to heap suspicion: the reviled Kaiser and his German countrymen. As thousands of Bostonians fell under the flu’s deadly spell, rumors began to spread almost as fast as the flu itself.

Flu Epidemic

• On September 17, 1918, Lt. Col. Philip Doane, head of the Health and Sanitation Section of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, forcefully voiced his opinion that the epidemic might have been started by Germans put ashore from U-Boats.

Flu Epidemic

• Said Doane, “It would be quite easy for one of these German agents to turn loose influenza germs in a theater or some other place where large numbers of persons are assembled. The Germans have started epidemics in Europe, and there is no reason why they should be particularly gentle with America.”

Flu Epidemic

• The US makes a major mistake. Overwhelmed by the concern with morale the government does not warn citizens of the danger.

• No treatment.• Gravediggers and coffins become a commodity.

Many are left unburied which, of course, contributes to the spread of disease.

• The “flu” would take almost 30% of the US population.

Flu Epidemic

• Other notions of this strain of influenza’s origin contained less-politically charged, but equally specious logic. According to one theory, poison gases used in the war, air charged with carbon dioxide from the trenches, and gases formed from decomposing bodies and exploding munitions had all fused to form a highly toxic vapor that flu victims had inhaled. Among the other causes advanced were air stagnation, coal dust, fleas, the distemper of cats and dogs, and dirty dishwater.

Flu Epidemic