Produced by the University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine and Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan Library

Influenza Encyclopedia

The American Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919:

A Digital Encyclopedia


Columbus, Ohio

50 U.S. Cities & Their Stories

“There is no need to worry so far as Columbus is concerned. The epidemic appears to be at its peak and we can look for a lessening of the number of cases within a few days.” Thus spoke Columbus Health Officer Dr. Louis Kahn on October 3, 1918, only a week after the first cases in the city had appeared.1 Despite news from the East Coast, where the influenza was infecting and killing thousands, Kahn dismissed the disease as merely old-fashioned grippe, a centuries-old respiratory illness that annually made its appearance. Reports from cities such as Boston and Philadelphia should have convinced him otherwise.

The Great Southern Hotel & Theatre, at 21 East Main Street in downtown Columbus.  The theatre featured silent films and vaudeville acts, and, like others in the city, was closed during much of the epidemic. Click on image for gallery. The Great Southern Hotel & Theatre, at 21 East Main Street in downtown Columbus. The theatre featured silent films and vaudeville acts, and, like others in the city, was closed during much of the epidemic.

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Columbus, Ohio

Timeline of Events

Excess Death Rate (per 100,000) Daily EventsClick day to view details. Selected Event
graphNational
200Excess Death Rate (per 100,000)
180 
160 
140 
120 
100 
80 
60 
40 
20 
0 
Total Excess Death Rate 312
Total Deaths per 100,000 population over duration of epidemic (roughly 1918 September 14 through 1919 February 22).
 19181919
 AugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchApril
Sa273101724317142128512192629162330714212841118251815221815222951219
Fr2629162330613202741118251815222961320273101724317142128714212841118
Th2518152229512192631017243171421285121926291623306132027613202731017
We243171421284111825291623306132027411182518152229512192651219262916
Tu2330613202731017241815222951219263101724317142128411182541118251815
Mo2229512192629162330714212841118252916233061320273101724310162431714
Su21284111825181522296132027310172418152229512192629162329152330613

September 23, 1918

The Ohio State Department of Health notifies all local officers of preventative measures to be enacted, including: having influenza patients stay away from public gatherings and remain in bed during the feverish period of the illness; having healthy persons avoid crowds and contact with those with symptoms. While not required by law to do so, physicians are encouraged to report influenza cases as a means of protecting the public and assisting the war effort.