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The world-wide influenza (Spanish Flu strain) pandemic killed at least 40 million people (some modern estimates put it as high as 100 million). Only Samoa in the South Pacific was spared. This was the greatest pandemic in history and in Australia the death toll of approximately 12,000 was from a population of only 4.9 million.
Although the Australian epidemic started in 1918, its worst effects were felt mainly between January and December 1919, with the Sydney region of NSW worst-affected. WW1 Australian soldiers returning from overseas duty carried the disease with them into the Country.
Precautions to contain the outbreak included a three-month closure of all NSW schools (Jan-March 1919). All theatres, churches and libraries were closed and no public meetings were allowed.
No one knows why this strain of flu was so virulent. In later pandemics, in 1957 and 1968, 'only' a few million people have died.
Additional information from ABC Radio, 8/1997; and 'Panorama', Canberra Times, Saturday 15 January 2000. |
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