Measles kills 40,000

IN the first six months of 1875, The Fiji Times published stories about the measles epidemic that wiped out one third of the Fijian population.

Historical records contend that to celebrate the annexation of Fiji in 1874, Hercules Robinson, who was Governor of New South Wales at the time, took Ratu Cakobau and his two sons to Sydney.

There was a measles outbreak in the Australian city and the three Fijians came down with the disease.

However, the ship they travelled on was not quarantined when it returned to Fiji. This was despite authorities’ knowledge of the devastating effect this could have on an unexposed population.

So between 1875 and 1876, an epidemic of measles resulted, killing over 40,000 Fijians, about one-third of the Fijian population at the time.

The Fiji Times reported, on March 17, 1875 that measles “have got into the mountain tribes and are making considerable havoc with their ranks”.

On March 31, 1875, the paper said: “We learn that on the island of Ovalau no less than 507 natives have died from measles”.

“We believe the germs were taken there by chiefs that were brought over to Levuka and who were entertained on board the Dido.”

“The entire population was at the most 1500 and considering the rate of mortality has been over 33 per cent, we can hardly wonder at the outcry made at the introduction of the disease.”

The Fiji Times of April 7 1875 read: “…a gentleman from Rewa on Monday last gave us a very sad account of the fearful ravages the measles were making throughout that district”.

“..children of tender years, whose parents lay victim, lie huddled together without food and sustenance.”

At Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu, the paper reported Tongan men were dying in numbers.

On May 1, there was news that out of a population of 300 at Nakorovou in Taveuni, 75 had died and at Namalata on the island of Qoma, 180 had died.

On June 9, there were reports that villages were being destroyed to cleanse them from the disease.

“We are informed that the natives on certain islands are so impressed with the gravity of the scourge that has visited them that…they are literally destroying their old townships and building their dwellings of entirely new materials,” The Fiji Times reported.

The entire population was at the most 1500 and considering the rate of mortality has been over 33 per cent, we can hardly wonder at the outcry made at the introduction of the disease – The Fiji Times

Picture: en.wikipedia.org Ratu Cakobau.

Picture: FILE Levuka during the 1870s, around the time of the measles epidemic.

Picture: Fiji Museum 1. Levuka in the late 1800s. 1

3. Melanesian workers on a Fiji cotton plantation during the 1800s. Picture: Fiji Museum 3

Picture: www.natlib.govt.nz 2. A cotton plantation in 1875, around the time of the epidemic. 2

Picture: Fiji Museum The Fiji Armed Constabulary was set up to address rebellion from the colo people who blamed settlers for bringing the measles epidemic.