Influenza Epidemic

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Influenza Epidemic
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The Spanish Flu

• As soldiers returned from the war, Canada was
  struck with a terrible epidemic - The Spanish
  Flu.
• Soldiers carried the virus with them from
  overseas.
• People weakened from the virus often developed
  pneumonia.
• Thousands of people died because of the lack of
  proper treatment to deal with infection
  (i.e. penicillin not
  discovered until 1928)
  A. Fleming

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A Growing Problem

• To stop the spread of the flu, many schools,
  churches, and public buildings closed their
  doors.
• Some communities tried to quarantine whole towns
  (no one in or out)
• Apx 50,000 Canadians died.
• This is only about 10,000 fewer than the number
  killed during the war.

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Federal Department of Health

• Created in 1919
• To organize and structure public health concerns.
• Took over control of national heath concerns such
  as border quarantines.
• Began to collect statistics related to
  birth/death rates, rates and types of diseases,
  etc.
• It took many years for the Dept. of Health to
  have an impact but it was the beginning.
• Canadians were becoming more aware of public
  health issues.