The pandemic to end all pandemics: influenza in 1919

In late 1918 a vaccine had been prepared by culturing the sputum of influenza patients at the NSW Quarantine Station for use against what doctors believed was a bacterial infection. Free inoculation was offered to all people in NSW but such was the public response that supplies were soon overwhelmed. Tens of thousands in Sydney fought for a place in the queue and almost 450,000 inoculations were performed in the first five months of 1919.

There still remains some doubt as to how effective this was in preventing influenza. A survey of patients in Sydney public hospitals suggested that of those inoculated 10.6 percent caught influenza compared to 16.5 percent of those not inoculated.

At the outset of the pandemic all States and Territories possessed only a small number of hospital beds. To cope with the pandemic many schools, sports buildings and warehouses were converted into temporary hospitals.

So how did the Commonwealth Government respond to this pandemic threat?

 In late 1918 it decided to quarantine all ships arriving in Australia when there was a history of influenza on the voyage out. In addition, all ships arriving from New Zealand and South Africa were placed in quarantine for seven days.

The Commonwealth also convened a meeting of all States and Territories to lay down a set of formal instructions governing notification and quarantine. All States and Territories had to notify the Commonwealth immediately they discovered a case of influenza in their jurisdiction and once that was done institute border restrictions. While all agreed to this in 1918 when influenza threated the agreement broke down.

In early 1919, NSW accused Victoria of failing to report cases of influenza and Tasmania and Western Australia took affront at restrictions governing shipping and train travel. Within days the Commonwealth agreement was in tatters and each State going its own way with respect to border controls and local quarantine. It was a political roundabout.

During the pandemic hysteria, fear and panic had a field day. People avoided public transport, declined to attend churches or sporting events, and avoided the pub and crowds. Many people tried to flee from Sydney and the Central Railway station was crowded with people anxious to get away. Influenza swept through Australia’s towns and cities. Neighbours avoided neighbours, people barricaded themselves in their homes, avoided shops and street contact.

So many people were ill with influenza or fearful of catching it that businesses, schools and government offices struggled to exist. Faith in the medical profession quickly evaporated and people sought help from popular cures such as Dr Morse’s Indian Root Pills, Clements Tonic and Bonnington Irish Moss, while large department stores instituted fumigating sprays.

The 1919 influenza pandemic stands as the greatest social and health disaster in Australian history. Overall millions succumbed to flu during the first six months of 1919 and at least 15,000 died. The pace of the spread of the disease took Australia by surprise and totally overwhelmed the measures advanced to contain it.