The earth is current facing its first major world wide pandemic since the Spanish flu.
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Sometimes labelled the "forgotten pandemic" by some historians, the Spanish flu affected people all across the world from January 1918 to December 1920.
It infected 500 million people (about a quarter of the world's population at the time), with the death toll estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million - and possible as high as 100 million - making the Spanish flu one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.
Bathurst was not immune from the flu, with old newspaper recordings on Trove indicating it affected hundreds of people, affecting everyday people including police officers and workers on the railway
News snippets come from the National Advocate, which would later merge with the Western Times in 1963 to form the Western Advocate.
Council and the Flu - February 19, 1919
At tonight's meeting of the Bathurst Council consideration will be given certain recommendations by the Health Committee with regard to the influenza epidemic.
Whilst we deny the right of the council to speak on behalf of Bathurst on so important a matter, we trust that the aldermen will be guided by common sense and not led astray by frenzied statement.
Certainly the aldermen, whilst taking every precaution to safeguard public health, should not be prompted to do anything haste that will tend to injure the interests of either the business people or the public generally.
Let them remember that according to two of the highest local authorities - Dr H. Busby (a government medical officer) and Dr T. A. Machattie - adequate safeguards have already been taken and there is no immediate need for further restrictions.
Further, that the council has not the right to commit Bathurst to definite policy regarding the influenza. That is a matter can only be decided by a public meeting convened by the mayor and which is the only means by which the true voice of the people can be heard.
Another clean day - May 1, 1919
No fresh cases of flu were reported in Bathurst yesterday.
All the patients in Bathurst District Hospital are doing well. No cases regarded as serious.
A repetition of Monday's unfortunate incident, when a man stricken with flu walked to tho hospital, has been averted.
Yesterday Mr. Fred Jennings offered his services to drive any suffer to the hospital at any hour-= during tho day and night.
More off at the railway - June 18, 1919
The wave of ordinary influenza which has been sweeping over Bathurst during the last few days shows no signs of diminishing.
Yesterday, the number of Bathurstians affected was even greater than on the previous day, but fortunately a decided improvement was reported in the majority of cases. Many business places are still working short handed, but the greatest inconvenience is being experienced at the railway.
At the Bathurst railway matters were even worse yesterday than on Monday. The number of absentees increased from 106 to 125. Only a couple returned to duty, but messages from a few others intimated that they could be expected back shortly.
In the loco shed the train is being felt mostly and it is feared that either assistance from other centres will shortly have to be secured or the railway service curtailed. Engineers of all description have got the flu and already many engines are in dock with no immediate prospects of getting away. Engine cleaners are at a premium but it's stated that on Monday night 80 per cent of the cleaners were off duty.
The Flu in Bathurst - June 25, 1919
The epidemic of ordinary influenza is still causing much inconvenience though little alarm In Bathurst.
Though most homes have by now received a visitation, only a small percentage of the cases have been really serious, though anything like a severe attack of the complaint Is enough' to put one out of action for a few days.
Most of the patients are now recovering.
There are now nine cases of ordinary flu at the Bathurst District Hospital, but they are all making rapid progress towards recovery. Mr. Art Shea is expected to leave the institution today.
Four of the local police force are on the casualty list: Constable Rhall, Constables Bailey, Foley and Floyd. Constable Foley is the latest to relinquish duties.
Matters are improving at the railway. In the loco department a number of men have returned to work, though the number still off duty is still causing a great deal of inconvenience. The traffic staff is fast recovering,
At the gasworks 11 of the men, principally stokers, are off duty.
Worst case yet - July 7, 1919
The latest case of distress, as a result of the flu epidemic, is perhaps the worst revealed so far in Bathurst.
During the weekend it was reported to those interested in the work of sustenance that family of eight, living in the west end, were all stricken with the disease and had been unable to help themselves for days.
Investigations proved that the report was only to true. The mother, the father and six children of tender years were discovered in a most deplorable condition as a result of their helplessness.
Further, there was an absence almost of bedding and covering, some of the children being covered with bags and feeling the intense cold severely.
Mesdames Clines and Ambrose soon got busy and after having the house cleaned thoroughly provided the sufferers with adequate bedding and suitable food.
Last night the sufferers were reported to be doing well and had been made most comfortable.