Did you Know?
The 1918 flu pandemic also known as the "Spanish Flu" did not originate in Spain. It is referred to as the "Spanish Flu" because Spain, as a neutral country during WWI, freely reported on the devastation and deadliness of the flu pandemic unlike those countries fighting in the War. The Allied and Central Powers censored news of the flu to keep morale high during wartime. This led to those reading the news coverage of the disease spreading in Spain to assume that Spain is where the deadly disease originated. Those in Spain called it the "French Flu" believing it had spread to Spain from France.
The first known case of the deady flu is believed to have been in Kansas and possibly originated in an animal, either a bird or farm animal, which then spread to farmers. These young farmers were then shipped off to war where they spread the disease among their military allies, the rest of Europe and then the world.
The flu was called "grippe" in 1918. The word originated from the French grippe, which means "influenza," but also "seizure."
Unusually, the high death rate was in young healthy adults ages 15-34.
The 1918 flu pandemic resulted in 150-200 orphans in Albany County.
In the city of Albany, a $500 fine (modern day equivalent of about $8,500) or up to a year in prison was instituted for anyone who coughed or sneezed in public without covering their mouth.
The Great Influenza Pandemic and Albany, NY
- Albany, NY was not spared the great influenza pandemic of 1918. It emerged in the city in late September, 1918. At first, it was thought Albany would avoid the brunt of the disease as not many cases appeared initially. However, as the days continued, more and more people fell ill and reports from doctors indicated it was influenza. Following this news, City Health Officer, Dr. Arthur Sautter, (Albany Medical College class of 1894), recommended a general closure order. Within a day, Albany Commissioner of Public Safety James Sheldon Frost ordered all schools, churches, theaters, movie houses and libraries closed, in addition to suspending all indoor public gatherings.
- After the hospitals in Albany were overflowing with sick influenza patients, the new Smallpox Hospital was open for the care of those ill with the deadly flu disease.
- The community came together during and after the pandemic. Medical students from Albany Medical College provided on call care and regular patient care, the police drove patients to the hospitals, school nurses were assigned to work for the Bureau of Health, and even an official within Albany's administration department loaned his personal vehicle as an ambulance. Following the pandemic, groups came together, including the Catholic diocese to offer assistance housing the many children who had become orphaned as a result of the pandemic.
-Albany reopened after two weeks although schools remained closed longer. By the beginning of November, 7,091 cases of the flu had been reported and over 450 Albany citizens had lost their lives to the deadly disease.

(Albany Hospital Ambulances, early 1920s. Most likely used to transport the sick to the hospital during the 1918 pandemic.)