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Before They Happen     Learn more...        

Washington's Past - 1918

Opening Remarks Prepared for Delivery by the Honorable Alex Azar
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services for April 14, 2006...

On September 27th, 1918, Washington officials first reported the presence of influenza, saying that "a number of cases have been reported in the vicinity of American Lake." This official report came ten days after the pandemic actually appeared in the state, when recruits from Philadelphia arrived at the Puget Sound Naval Yard—eleven of the recruits were ill with the flu.

On September 23rd, 10,000 people gathered to witness a review of Washington's National Guard Infantry. Though the camp's medical officer acknowledged there was a minor epidemic underway, he insisted there was nothing to worry about. His miscalculation helped enable the flu to spread. By the 25th, influenza was epidemic in Seattle.

By October 11th, Washington officials reported that "schools have been closed and public gathering prohibited at Seattle, Bremerton, Pasco, Prosser, Sultan, and Port Angeles. On October 7, it was estimated that there were 1,000 cases of influenza at Bremerton." Many of the schools that were closed didn't open until January or March 1919.

By October 18th, it was concluded that "the disease is epidemic at Seattle and Spokane." And, over that week, "7,349 cases were reported." The following week, 5,322 cases were reported. On October 29th, Seattle made wearing masks mandatory, and the rest of the state followed suit the next day.

In Seattle, the old City Hall and one of the dormitories at the University of Washington became emergency hospitals. Public gatherings were banned, even church attendance. In response to complaints from ministers, the mayor said, "Religion which won't keep for two weeks, is not worth having."

When it comes to pandemics, there is no rational basis to believe that the early years of the 21st century will be different than the past. If a pandemic strikes again, it will strike in Washington.

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Chelan Douglas Health District is working with the State Department of Health, regional and local community emergency planning partners to prepare for this kind of event, before it occurs, to help save lives by reducing the incidence of disease and its impacts.

"Always Working For a Safer and Healthier Chelan and Douglas County"

Seattle Policemen 1918