Immediately following the 1918 influenza pandemic many researchers speculated on the origin of the disease. As many influenza A strains were known to arise in the Orient it was first thought that the virulent 1918 form had also began in the east. Scientists thought...
New Zealanders looking for someone to blame for the influenza pandemic of 1918 looked to their politicians. Many thought their country’s health services had let them down and that national politicians had not prevented the spread of the disease and had not...
In early November the Wairarapa Daily Times reported that the new more virulent influenza was well-established in Auckland. On the 5th deaths were recorded in Auckland and Napier and news of the economic effects of the epidemic, as it was then called, were detailed....
On 12th November 1918, Masterton went mad as the news of the official end to the war came through. “Pandemonium reigned in Masterton. Whistles screeched out, bells rang, people cheered and screeched with joy, bands played as there was such a scene in Queen...
The Health Department was quick of the mark with advice for those who felt they were getting the flu. They recommended that sufferers should: go to bed as soon as they felt pain in the limbs or head, or got a cold; go to bed in an unoccupied room and stay there until...
There was little that medical services could offer to those who were suffering from the worst symptoms of influenza. Many deaths occurred from secondary infections, now easily treatable with anti-biotics, but then unheard of. Others were infected with severe viral...
