Outbreak: The Influenza Epidemic in New Zealand 1918

Social Studies Online

• You will need to check your facts against other information sources.
• Remember that the timeline must be accurately spaced out to show the progression of events.
• You may like to add other events you find while you are researching.

Trams stopped running, offices and factories closed.

End of December 1918 - Disease dies away.

Schools were closed.

Epidemic becomes more severe in other parts of the country.

World War One Ended November 11, 1918. The surviving soldiers returned from war.

Emergency hospitals and medical posts were set up providing inhalation chambers and alcoholic cures.

A ship called the Niagara arrived in Auckland. Many people with serious cases of influenza were on board.

Voluntary helpers grouped together to visit the ill or take them to hospital.

Sick people put white flags outside or signs in their windows. White flags were put on letter-boxes to show that there were dead bodies inside to be collected.

Doctors found that many people knew nothing about hygiene or how infectious diseases spread.

Third week of November 1918 - Disease peaks.

Reports start of Influenza epidemic in Auckland and in military camps in Trentham and Featherston and in Wellington.

After the first deaths from the Niagara, the first fumigation room opens in Auckland.

Radio message is received from the Niagra "Please advise Health Department - Spanish Influenza is on board; increasing daily. Present time over 100 crew down. Urgently required hospital assistance and accommodation for 25 serious cases. Arriving on schedule".