This is an extraordinary story of a world, already hit by WW1 was hit again by a brutal flu’ pandemic that lasted 15 months and killed 50-100 mill people
It is alesson in repeated failures, public misinformation by public officials desperate to keep panic at bay, complacency
It is alesson in repeated failures, public misinformation by public officials desperate to keep panic at bay, complacency
Do take your time to read it as it full of personal stories but also also a lesson in public health, and political leadership (or lack of it).
Loring Miner, a local physician, knew there was a public health problem and reported the first outbreak he saw in America.
Loring Miner, a local physician, knew there was a public health problem and reported the first outbreak he saw in America.
The Spanish Flu passed on into soldier camps and proved itself to be virulent mutating rapidly and damaging tissues deep in the lungs.
Top Public Health officials now, unlike then, rate a flu pandemic as potentially the most dangerous health threat, despite 100 years of knowledge and research.
It changes.
It changes.
Initially, whilst it infected many it did not kill in large numbers in the earlier stages..
In 1918 Of 10,131 soldiers in the British Grand Fleet said to have the virus just 4 died.
But the disease was spreading around the world and warning signs were there.
In 1918 Of 10,131 soldiers in the British Grand Fleet said to have the virus just 4 died.
But the disease was spreading around the world and warning signs were there.
Broke the thread.
Initially is was dismissed as a 3 day illness
In France over 50% an army command post became ill & 49 died. 5%.
And these were relatively young men.
But in the US it was reported as a “benign type” and a Britian medical journal reported it had disappeared
Initially is was dismissed as a 3 day illness
In France over 50% an army command post became ill & 49 died. 5%.
And these were relatively young men.
But in the US it was reported as a “benign type” and a Britian medical journal reported it had disappeared
But it was about to return like a great Tsunami reappearing in Switzerland in such a virulent form it was called “a Black Plague”..and named “The Spanish Sickness and Grip”
On 1st September a hospital that could accommodate 1200 held 84 patients.
By 7th Sept a soldier was admitted, screaming. They thought he had meningitis. Soon he was followed by “an explosion” of soldiers with what they then recognised as ‘flu.
By 7th Sept a soldier was admitted, screaming. They thought he had meningitis. Soon he was followed by “an explosion” of soldiers with what they then recognised as ‘flu.
In one day they admitted 1543 soldiers. Doctors, nurses, canteen staff were all falling sick and they stopped taking patients no matter how sick.
@juniordrblog You must read this blog tracking the Spanish flu’.
@juniordrblog You must read this blog tracking the Spanish flu’.
Soldiers would present with “ordinary flu like symptoms which , within a couple of hours would developed fiercely, loss of oxygen, and death often occurring within hours.
Averaging 100 deaths a day.
Young men.
It reached from Alaska to Africa.
Averaging 100 deaths a day.
Young men.
It reached from Alaska to Africa.
How did the American Gov respond.
Woodrow Wyatt Created the Committee Public IIndormation that seemed led by a principle more of “Truth and falsehood are arbitrary terms” and passed a Sedition Act with a maximum of 20 years.
What for? Read on...
Woodrow Wyatt Created the Committee Public IIndormation that seemed led by a principle more of “Truth and falsehood are arbitrary terms” and passed a Sedition Act with a maximum of 20 years.
What for? Read on...
Public Health Officials began to lie.
The lying did not stop the spreading of the disease to sailors and then into the civilian population.
The lying did not stop the spreading of the disease to sailors and then into the civilian population.
Broken the tread. Again.
A large public parade was NOT cancelled against doctor’s advice. Their warning letters to newspapers were not published
It continued to spread into the civilian population and calls for nursing volunteers fell on deaf ears
193 responders to 3k calls
A large public parade was NOT cancelled against doctor’s advice. Their warning letters to newspapers were not published
It continued to spread into the civilian population and calls for nursing volunteers fell on deaf ears
193 responders to 3k calls
759 people died in a single day and 12000 Philadelphians in 6 weeks.
But still, in New York, the US Surgeon General said their was “no cause for alarm if ordinary precautions are observed.”
The same in SAN Francisco
Arkansas admitted 8k soldiers.
But still, in New York, the US Surgeon General said their was “no cause for alarm if ordinary precautions are observed.”
The same in SAN Francisco
Arkansas admitted 8k soldiers.
On it went. On it spread. Calls for volunteers fell on deaf ears even to look after children whose parents had died or were dying.
Normal community solidarity such as bringing food to the sick stopped.
People were scared. The public reassurance was not working.
Normal community solidarity such as bringing food to the sick stopped.
People were scared. The public reassurance was not working.
Fear emptied streets, buildings, shops, work places.
On a 12 mile drive in Philadelphia a medical student saw no other car.
Similar reports in Wellington NewZealand . Not a soul to be seen at 2pm in the middle of a normally busy city.
The Dean of Michigan Medical School feared civilisation would disappear in a few weeks.
Similar reports in Wellington NewZealand . Not a soul to be seen at 2pm in the middle of a normally busy city.
The Dean of Michigan Medical School feared civilisation would disappear in a few weeks.
But it suddenly seemed to disappear...and society returned to normal.
You guessed it.
A 3rd wave came in in Jan 1919. - lethal.
By April 1919 Woodrow Wyatt fell seriously ill. Although at the time it was said to be a stroke in fact the symptoms were more consistent with the flu.
A 3rd wave came in in Jan 1919. - lethal.
By April 1919 Woodrow Wyatt fell seriously ill. Although at the time it was said to be a stroke in fact the symptoms were more consistent with the flu.
But gradually its power lessened gradually behaving more like seasonal flu but leaving scientists asking a lot of question about how it morphed into such a virulent condition and how it lost its power.
Despite the horrendous death toll most people survived. Overall 2% died.
Despite the horrendous death toll most people survived. Overall 2% died.
Broke. Again. Nearly at an end why did so many young people die?
Why did their lungs look as if they had breathed in poison gas?
So many questions.
Why did their lungs look as if they had breathed in poison gas?
So many questions.
All this was made the subject of a public health training exercise bu the author of this fascinating blog. “Don’t manage the truth. Tell the Truth”
Then the participants were set an exercise.
Then the participants were set an exercise.
A worldwide flu pandemic had not yet OFFICIALLY reached California but there was a suspected case. How would they respond?
A top Public Health Official drafted this:
“More tests are required. The patient might not have pandemic influenza. There is no reason for concern.”
A top Public Health Official drafted this:
“More tests are required. The patient might not have pandemic influenza. There is no reason for concern.”
The author was stunned.
To be clear the author of the tweet was stunned. He was the one that used the blog in his trading exercise with Public Health.
Thank you @ianbassin and John Barry
Thank you @ianbassin and John Barry
I feel a need to post this.
