On This Day, 3 July 1918

Birmingham Mail

Wednesday 3 July 1918

“FLU” DANGER.

EPIDEMIC SPREADING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM A SUFFERER.

Both in London and in the provinces the epidemic of influenza continues to gain ground steadily. While, generally speaking, the mild character of the illness persists, a large number of deaths were reported yesterday, and the public should take warning from the fact that there is a danger, especially when the early symptoms are neglected, of complications in the form of broncho-pneumonia and meningitis.

Six persons have died from the complaint at Heywood, where seven day schools and several cotton mills have been closed.

In the district around Mansfield (Notts) the epidemic has become very serious. Theatres and cinemas have been placed out of bounds to soldiers. Two hundred and fifty men are absent from one local pit, many hosiery and boot factories have lost the bulk of their female workers, and many children are ill.

Thirty per cent. of the school population at Wood Green is laid up with the influenza, and two elementary schools have been closed. Today in many cases the children came to school apparently well, but collapsed during lessons. One school has, it is reported, 400 absentees.

The Bishop of Birmingham is among the latest victims of the influenza epidemic. Apparently he is attacked in a mild degree only, as he hopes to be out again tomorrow.

There are many cases of the disease in West Bromwich, particularly among young children, and it has been decided to close all the schools in the borough until Monday next.