A doctor and a nurse treating a severely ill flu patient during the epidemic. (Left Photo Below)
Source: Google Images
Source: Google Images
Death toll increased and death rates: The flu in which people had no immunity from and had little control of, had struck very suddenly and the spread of the virus was rapid, killing many people in a short amount of time. During late October and early November, the flu had already begun to take its toll. The death rates among New Zealanders continued to increase in the duration of those months in which the Maori population was severely affected with a death rate 7 times the New Zealand European population. The death rates from the severe form of the influenza virus began to peak on roughly the 12th of November in Auckland, when the official news of Armistice had arrived, and this had many effects throughout the country. By the end of the influenza pandemic, a recorded amount of almost 8600 people were killed. This is “about half the number of New Zealanders killed during World War One”, as written in ‘On this Day’ by Ron Palenski. However, some communities were affected severely such as in the larger cities while there were many smaller rural communities who had escaped the virus altogether due to greater coordination organised for precautions of the flu. Auckland was hard hit and communities were severely devastated with the significant number of losses in those areas. The overall death rate from Europeans was 5.8 per 1000 people with some communities being well above this average. “Between one third and half of New Zealands total population is thought to have been infected at some point.” According to Matthew Gray at Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland, It was reported that as someone was dying, their bodies would turn dark purple and when they had died from this severe flu, their bodies would become black. As there was no immunity to the flu at that time, anyone could have easily caught the flu and severely suffered. According to Matthew Gray, ‘Nobody was immune, women, children, rich people, poor people; anyone who caught it was in big trouble. Back in 1918, that (the flu) was the start of something a lot more sinister, a lot of people never recovered.” He further stated that “People were literally dropping like flies,” suggesting that the spread of the virus was rapid and as a result, many people died very suddenly. New Zealand was in the midst of a crisis.
Niagara passengers deaths: A week after the Niagara’s arrival, two more crewmen died in Auckland hospital. The last Niagara passenger who had died from the flu was Nurse Crossing, 24 years old, who was one of the volunteer nurses on board attending to the recovering patients, from war, who were on the Niagara. She died on the 26th of October after being taken to Auckland Hospital because of a sudden collapse on the 21st of October, which had developed into pneumonia.
Niagara passengers deaths: A week after the Niagara’s arrival, two more crewmen died in Auckland hospital. The last Niagara passenger who had died from the flu was Nurse Crossing, 24 years old, who was one of the volunteer nurses on board attending to the recovering patients, from war, who were on the Niagara. She died on the 26th of October after being taken to Auckland Hospital because of a sudden collapse on the 21st of October, which had developed into pneumonia.
Workers and staffs: The amount of workers and staff who were down with the flu, continued to increase rapidly. Hence, companies were largely affected due to the influenza pandemic as because the influenza virus spread so rapidly and suddenly, many staff eventually got very sick and the flu continued to spread even further during the month of November. Hence, many offices were filled with workers who were very ill and staff members found themselves working around/ surrounded by people who had caught this new pneumonic form of influenza which was regarded as being severe. As a result, the virus was able to spread rapidly from one staff member to another. By late October, important workforces were severely affected with a lack of healthy staffs that were able to work, such as post office staffs, firemen, motormen and conductors for trams and railways as well as telephone exchange staffs. The situation was similar among offices, shops, factories and shipping companies as well, in which the situation progressively worsened. Due the lack of able and healthy staffs, many companies noticed that it became harder to maintain regular and normal routines. At the telephone exchange, 80 percent of the staffs were sick and in the tram services, 250 out of 650 staffs were off duty due to the flu. The post office, telephone exchange, fire rescue, trams public transportation, the shipping companies, shops, businesses and factories were all disrupted due to the crisis because the depletion in staff which now meant that many services or work had to minimise or come to a halt in early November despite efforts to keep businesses running. Many companies needed to reduce the workload and close at an early time such as the goodsheds at Auckland and Newmarket being force to close at 2p.m every day. Timetables for tram services were reduced and the telephone exchange in Auckland closed for 3 hours in the middle of each day. Devonport ferry Company laid up three of its vessels. Staff members and workers struggled to keep their work ongoing during this severe pandemic, however, as more staffs and workers got sick, most companies could not maintain daily routines and found it best to take a break from working.
Hospital staff declined: With the influenza virus prevailing, more and more medical workers came down with the flu themselves and with more and more patients suffering from the influenza virus being treated at the hospital, doctors and nurses treating patients at the hospital were even more exposed to the severe form of the virus than many others. Hence, a large number of hospital staff had succumb the flu while treated sick patients, due to the rapid spread of the virus. By 26th October at Auckland Hospital, 28 nurses had reported sick and this number continued to grow around the country as the pandemic was reaching its peak. According to medical superintendent, Dr. Maguire, he had “found it harder to maintain normal services as more staff fell ill.”
Families affected: Families were split apart during the pandemic. As the death toll mounted, families found it difficult to celebrate the return of certain members from the war because many family members were already so sick and dying. As a result, families were left to live in virus filled households together and because the contagious virus had no immunity at that time, due to its viral spread, members were able to spread the flu from one to another in a matter of a few days. Therefore, families were left stricken with the flu all at the same time where on the 29th of November it was found that the whole of some Auckland households were completely laid down with the severe influenza in which there was not even a single person to attend to the families health needs or basic necessities because everyone was severely ill. While children, especially ages 0-7 years were mostly immune to the influenza virus, healthy adults in their prime time mostly suffered and had a greater chance of catching the flu and dying, as shown in graph of figure 10.1 from the book ‘Black November’ by Geoffrey Rice. In return, many children were affected due to the loss of one or more of their parents from the pandemic. A recorded total of 6550 children under the age of 20 became orphans due to the pandemic crisis. Hence, many young children around New Zealand were forced to live lives and grow up without their parents because of this horrific event. In Temuka, most flu victims that were married were left widowed and nearly thirty children lost a parent. During the duration of the epidemic months, more and more families were found to be left stricken in state of filth and unhygienic in households. Also, as every family member was so ill, there was no one to feed them, look after them or provide their demands. Families could not help themselves and were left to fall sicker or die together. Amelia Bagley who was in charge of nursing aid at the Health Department once heard from over 50 households, urgently calling for medical assistance; one where the whole family was bedridden. As described by Geoffrey Rice, “Cases were increasing faster than the relief organisation could deal with.”
Hospital staff declined: With the influenza virus prevailing, more and more medical workers came down with the flu themselves and with more and more patients suffering from the influenza virus being treated at the hospital, doctors and nurses treating patients at the hospital were even more exposed to the severe form of the virus than many others. Hence, a large number of hospital staff had succumb the flu while treated sick patients, due to the rapid spread of the virus. By 26th October at Auckland Hospital, 28 nurses had reported sick and this number continued to grow around the country as the pandemic was reaching its peak. According to medical superintendent, Dr. Maguire, he had “found it harder to maintain normal services as more staff fell ill.”
Families affected: Families were split apart during the pandemic. As the death toll mounted, families found it difficult to celebrate the return of certain members from the war because many family members were already so sick and dying. As a result, families were left to live in virus filled households together and because the contagious virus had no immunity at that time, due to its viral spread, members were able to spread the flu from one to another in a matter of a few days. Therefore, families were left stricken with the flu all at the same time where on the 29th of November it was found that the whole of some Auckland households were completely laid down with the severe influenza in which there was not even a single person to attend to the families health needs or basic necessities because everyone was severely ill. While children, especially ages 0-7 years were mostly immune to the influenza virus, healthy adults in their prime time mostly suffered and had a greater chance of catching the flu and dying, as shown in graph of figure 10.1 from the book ‘Black November’ by Geoffrey Rice. In return, many children were affected due to the loss of one or more of their parents from the pandemic. A recorded total of 6550 children under the age of 20 became orphans due to the pandemic crisis. Hence, many young children around New Zealand were forced to live lives and grow up without their parents because of this horrific event. In Temuka, most flu victims that were married were left widowed and nearly thirty children lost a parent. During the duration of the epidemic months, more and more families were found to be left stricken in state of filth and unhygienic in households. Also, as every family member was so ill, there was no one to feed them, look after them or provide their demands. Families could not help themselves and were left to fall sicker or die together. Amelia Bagley who was in charge of nursing aid at the Health Department once heard from over 50 households, urgently calling for medical assistance; one where the whole family was bedridden. As described by Geoffrey Rice, “Cases were increasing faster than the relief organisation could deal with.”
Graph showing the death toll from the pandemic in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, ranging in weeks from the 1st of October to the 31st of December. The death rate per 100,000 of the North and South Island for the pandemic is also shown; suggesting that in the (Above Photo) Source: Google Images
A row of barracks at Featherson Military Camp; one of main the military camps that was severely affected with a high death toll in the pandemic. (Left Photo Below)
Source: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/influenza-featherston-barracks
Source: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/influenza-featherston-barracks
Soldiers affected: As more soldiers returned from war, many more began to fall ill at home. Military camps were struck with the greatest severity of the flu. Due to the unhygienic conditions of military camps, soldiers returning from war who were living in these camps were dangerously exposed to the influenza virus. With the severe form of the flu already prevailing, the unhygienic and cramp conditions of the military camps aided to the rapid spread of this deadly virus, resulting in a high death toll at military camps such as the Featherston Military Camp with a death rate of 22.6 per 1000 people and Trentham camp with a death rate of 235 per 1000 people. Hence, while serving at wars and defending their country, many healthy men at their prime age unfortunately had their lives cut short in their own country, despite surviving the war, because of the influenza pandemic. While women at that time mostly worked little or tended to look after the family at home, young men had a duty of providing for their families and as they often went out to work hard earning a living, this may have been the sole reason as to why young men aged 30-34 years old were the worst affected by the pandemic, according to Geoffrey Rice. This is because many males did not catch the first wave, however, as young men were the ‘breadwinners of the family’ when they caught the more severe pneumonic form of influenza, they had to keep on working despite being severely ill and as they could not rest, this may have contributed to the high amount of deaths among young men. Some soldiers who had survived the “blood and guts of World War One,” as described by Matthew gray, were unfortunate in catching the flu and dying as a result of the influenza virus. One of these men included Private Thomas Graham, who had returned from war with a leg wound, at an unfortunate time of the pandemic prevailing, to die from catching the severe virus in its rapid spread.
Losses in potential people: The epidemic caused a significant loss in young, healthy New Zealanders who had great potential to be successful. One of which was Israel Philip who as just 19 years old when his life was cut short by the influenza virus. As mentioned in his obituary in Auckland Star, “Israel was one of the brainiest lads, Auckland had yet produced. He’d only just been selected to represent Auckland at a national debate, and was a prominent member of the Jewish Literary and debating Society.” Hence, as described by Matthew Gray, the epidemic had “robbed” the country; as people who had so much potential in their lives and who had so much more to give because they were still young and already successful, such as Philip, had their lives tragically cut short. His talent being tragically ended was unfortunate for his family and Jewish society as well as New Zealand. Newspaper columns during the epidemic months were constantly filled with obituaries of young talented people in similar and unfortunate situations. Hence, the epidemic crisis had truly stolen many people who had the potential of being great and successful if they had survived.
Maori affected: The Maori population suffered severely in the pandemic crisis. The epidemic struck so suddenly that Maori communities were caught unprepared or without any warnings. It was recorded that the death rates of the Maori were 7 times the death rates of New Zealand Europeans. Also, Maori troops in camp suffered a case fatality rate of ten percent from respiratory causes, which is double the non-Maori rate. Geoffrey Rice suggests that the small rural settlements with unhygienic conditions, poor sewage system, remote farming communities that are far from medical assistance and their pourer standards of housing, clothing and nourishment could have largely contributed to the populations weak immune system to this severe influenza virus. Hence, Maori’s were more at risk in catching the influenza virus and as a result, they suffered heavily due to their lifestyle and state of living conditions. With shack like houses having damp floors when it rained and being crowded with people sleeping together, most Maori’s were living in conditions which were ideal for the rapid spread of the flu. Some Maori’s lived in European style houses, however, their roofs were mostly incorrectly lined inside so there was the added risk of developing pneumonia. Geoffrey Rice also suggests that as “Maori communities could not afford a balance diet” as well, both these factors of having poor settlements and a poorer diet would have contributed largely to the Maori population’s high death toll of a recorded 1130 deaths and a high death rate of a recorded 42.4 per 1000 people. Furthermore, as Maori’s generally lived in deserted settlements, the lack of nearby medical assistance and shops, they had a low supply of food and abled bodied adults to take care of the sick had ultimately led to whole families being stricken all at the same time with severe symptoms such as high fever, headache ad pain in chest and limbs, with no one left to nurse or look after anyone else. Katipa recalled that “the only doctor who was at Mercer, couldn’t do much and didn’t even try. Nobody knew what they should be doing. One person told us not to drink water, and we believed it for a while…we just didn’t know what we should have done… It didn’t seem real. It got so bad that people hardly knew what was happening and didn’t care.”
Losses in potential people: The epidemic caused a significant loss in young, healthy New Zealanders who had great potential to be successful. One of which was Israel Philip who as just 19 years old when his life was cut short by the influenza virus. As mentioned in his obituary in Auckland Star, “Israel was one of the brainiest lads, Auckland had yet produced. He’d only just been selected to represent Auckland at a national debate, and was a prominent member of the Jewish Literary and debating Society.” Hence, as described by Matthew Gray, the epidemic had “robbed” the country; as people who had so much potential in their lives and who had so much more to give because they were still young and already successful, such as Philip, had their lives tragically cut short. His talent being tragically ended was unfortunate for his family and Jewish society as well as New Zealand. Newspaper columns during the epidemic months were constantly filled with obituaries of young talented people in similar and unfortunate situations. Hence, the epidemic crisis had truly stolen many people who had the potential of being great and successful if they had survived.
Maori affected: The Maori population suffered severely in the pandemic crisis. The epidemic struck so suddenly that Maori communities were caught unprepared or without any warnings. It was recorded that the death rates of the Maori were 7 times the death rates of New Zealand Europeans. Also, Maori troops in camp suffered a case fatality rate of ten percent from respiratory causes, which is double the non-Maori rate. Geoffrey Rice suggests that the small rural settlements with unhygienic conditions, poor sewage system, remote farming communities that are far from medical assistance and their pourer standards of housing, clothing and nourishment could have largely contributed to the populations weak immune system to this severe influenza virus. Hence, Maori’s were more at risk in catching the influenza virus and as a result, they suffered heavily due to their lifestyle and state of living conditions. With shack like houses having damp floors when it rained and being crowded with people sleeping together, most Maori’s were living in conditions which were ideal for the rapid spread of the flu. Some Maori’s lived in European style houses, however, their roofs were mostly incorrectly lined inside so there was the added risk of developing pneumonia. Geoffrey Rice also suggests that as “Maori communities could not afford a balance diet” as well, both these factors of having poor settlements and a poorer diet would have contributed largely to the Maori population’s high death toll of a recorded 1130 deaths and a high death rate of a recorded 42.4 per 1000 people. Furthermore, as Maori’s generally lived in deserted settlements, the lack of nearby medical assistance and shops, they had a low supply of food and abled bodied adults to take care of the sick had ultimately led to whole families being stricken all at the same time with severe symptoms such as high fever, headache ad pain in chest and limbs, with no one left to nurse or look after anyone else. Katipa recalled that “the only doctor who was at Mercer, couldn’t do much and didn’t even try. Nobody knew what they should be doing. One person told us not to drink water, and we believed it for a while…we just didn’t know what we should have done… It didn’t seem real. It got so bad that people hardly knew what was happening and didn’t care.”
Obituary of Israel Phillip from 'Auckland Star' newspaper, published on the 9th of November. He one of the many young New Zealanders who died in the epidemic. (Above Photo)
Source: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS19181109.2.8&srpos=3&e=-------10--1----1Israel+Phillips--
Source: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS19181109.2.8&srpos=3&e=-------10--1----1Israel+Phillips--
End of epidemic: The epidemic had settled just as rapidly as it had peaked to its severity.The worst of the epidemic was over by Christmas 1918 with the number of hospital admissions from the influenza, rapidly decreasing and the lives of many would return to normal, just like how it was before the epidemic. However, with the amount of people who had died from the flu, communities could find little excuse to even celebrate Christmas and the public was still living in devastation and despair from the losses and changes occurring during the crisis. Taken from the statistics and figures of ‘Epidemic mortality in counties and towns in 1918’ from the ‘Black November’;, a recorded 1128 people had died in Auckland, 757 in Wellington, 458 in Christchurch and 273 people in Dunedin had passed away from the epidemic. These have yet to even include the higher number of flu victim’s from other cities and towns in New Zealand.
The video describes the situation in Masterton, New Zealand, in relation to the consequence of the spread of the influenza virus during the epidemic crisis. (Video Below)
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5hs5HYcwQw
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5hs5HYcwQw