The influenza epidemic of 1918 was the worst pandemic since the Black Death of 1347. It killed more than 21 million people around the world. About 9 million people had been killed in the First World War of 1914-18.
Nobody knows the exact figure for how many people in New Zealand the influenza killed. Estimates range from 6,500 to 8,500. The whole population of New Zealand at that time was not much more than 500,000.
People called it the Plague of the Spanish Lady because of the damage it did in Spain. Or Black Flu because the victims sometimes turned black after they had died. This made people think of the Black Death.
It began in Europe in April 1918. It spread rapidly and then went to Asia and the United States and then to Australasia. It hit New Zealand when people were getting ready to put their lives back to normal after the war.
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| Medicines for the 'Black Flu' were available through depots set up by the government; Christchurch 1918. Credit: https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/18-03-2020/ |
More Dead From Flu
Thirteen deaths from influenza occurred in Auckland yesterday. Twelve more Auckland Hospital nurses and two more junior medical officers have been stricken with the complaint.
A large number of applications for admission were received at the hospital but the majority had to be refused owing to lack of accommodation.
A notice issued by the acting chief health officer, Dr J. P. Frengley, requires the immediate closing of all schools, theatres, public halls, billiard rooms, shooting galleries and other places of entertainment. This will include the Auckland Racing Club's course and buildings at Ellerslie and means that no races can be held on Saturday. Over 300 persons submitted themselves to treatment at the precautionary steam spray inhalation chamber at the Public Health Department.
NZ Herald November 5 1918.
