PARALLELS TO FLU PANDEMIC ARE CLEAR 102 YEARS LATER

During the 1918 flu pandemic the first cases in San Diego were were reported on Sept. 26, 1918, in Balboa Park, where sailors were stationed during World War I. The following day, several cases were reported at the Army’s Camp Kearny.

By mid-october, the city board of health become so alarmed that it banned social gatherings and ordered compulsory wearing of masks for essential workers to stop the spread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the 1918 virus killed an estimated 195,000 Americans during October alone.

From The San Diego Union, Friday, October 18, 1918:

HEALTH BOARD REPORTS 212 INFLUENZA CASES

SPREAD OF EPIDEMIC ABOUT UP TO AVERAGE OF RECENT DAYS; DOCTORS ARE OPTIMISTIC.

A total of 212 cases of Spanish influenza in San Diego and vicinity ad been reported to the city board of health up to late yesterday afternoon with 10 deaths directly attributable to the disease since it first made its appearance here. New cases reported yesterday included those developing in adjacent camps and detention points near the city which accounts for the rather large figure of 56. The spread is up to the average of recent days.

Dr. Chartres-martin, city health officer, says: “We are not pessimistic, neither do we wish to unduly alarm the people, but we are confronted by a situation which must be recognized. The influenza has not been stopped, or even curbed. the situation must frankly be faced and the conditions laid down by the health board may seem exacting but are merely the dictates of reason.”

The health officer points out that there has been no decrease in the number of new cases daily and that the mortality, in view of the number of cases is high, being almost 5 percent. He again urges the use of the quinine bi-sulphate spray for nose and throat and has ordered the wearing of gauze masks for those employes of business houses, industrial plants, factories and offices who are brought into close contact with the general public or who, from the nature of their work are gathered in any numbers.

Many new regulations were laid down yesterday by the board. Gatherings of a purely social nature, such as bridge parties, are absolutely taboo. Women and others, engaged in war work activities who wish to meet for sewing, bandage or mask making, may continue to do so under the usual sanitary precautions. “But those who foregather only in the pursuit of pleasure positively must discontinue the practice,” says Dr. Chartres-martin. “If they do not do so voluntarily, the board will issue stringent orders to that effect.”

Other rules to preserve the general health will be enforced. If influenza develops in a hotel or tenement house, the cases must be reported at once. Drastic action will follow failure to comply with the order.” It is difficult to quarantine a person ill in a hotel room and the health board demands full information on this class of patients.

The common drinking cup in use in hotels, offices and stores, must go.

A state law is already in effect against the use of the common drinking cup. Immediate and drastic punishment awaits those who violate this statute.

Among other precautions taken by the health board was sending an inspector to Lower Otay dam, where more than 200 men are employed on the construction work. Every one of the force will be sprayed and other precautions taken against the influenza invading the camp. Curry Bachman, an expert in this line went to Otay yesterday to take charge of the situation.

Dr. Chartres-martin says that for the present, at least, San Diego will not declare a quarantine against the outside world. “Frankly, I thin the fight will be a hard one to preserve the health of the city, but the situation is not bad enough to exclude those who would come to San Diego. Cheerful co-operation with the authorities and observance of the rules of sanitation and precautions will bring our city through with flying colors — but everyone must toe the mark and obey the rules and law.”