What Is The Most Useful Legacy Of The 1918 Influenza Pandemic?

In 1918, millions of people throughout the world died from the flu. In two months, New Zealand lost about half as many people to influenza as it had in the whole of the First World War. The pandemic of 1918 was caused by a new type of influenza virus. The second wave of the virus began to appear to New Zealand with the arrival of ships from aboard and caused a huge uproar in the community as it coincided with the end of the first world war. The 1918 influenza pandemic event had changed New Zealand drastically and teaches us people many essential lessons. It was a significant event in New Zealand's history as a whole, the event created huge impacts on both short and long term and also affected New Zealand society socially and politically

During the time when the flu was starting to mitigate, The Health Act overhauled the Health Department and became a law in November 1920. Robert Makgill was the main brain that involved in writing up the act, it was said to be “the most useful legacy of the 1918 influenza pandemic”. The 1920 Health Act had procedures for dealing with similar events to that of the 1918 influenza epidemic, and that it remained untouched until a revamp in 1956, meaning it was a well constructed Health Act and was considered one of the best of its kind. In the 1920s, New Zealand became a cleaner and healthier environment. Domestic science about hygiene and housekeeping method were introduced in schools by nurses to teach children about personal hygiene. Town planning was improved, hospitals were redesign, electricity and sewerage systems were introduced to more house. The Act marked a significant forward step in Maori community as well, Tangi and Hui were organised with a healthier and better water supply and sanitation. It was during was during the 1918 influenza pandemic that Wiremu Ratana and Princess Te Puea showed up as a leader and encouraged the Maori to improve their standard of living. Therefore, the most significant long term effect of the event of 1918 influenza pandemic was The Health Act of 1920, as it has changed New Zealand political

As little to none of the people know or remember about the event of the ‘flu, there are hardly any memorials to the flu dead, even though the numbers of dead were equally as much as the war. An example of these few public monuments are the two statues that were erected in Canterbury to honour the doctors who died during the event; Dr Little and Dr Margaret Cruickshank. While the flu is still strained and developed each and every year, it is believed that the immunisation might be more effective than quarantining. The flu has not completely disappeared and a pandemic can occur at any time. In order to respond to the situation, scientist started to develop medical remedies to help destroy the flu, the medical response nowadays is therefore likely to be far more prompt and effective than it was in 1918. Antibiotics were discovered in 1928, penicillin was developed in 1941 and in America, the first people that got vaccinated were in 1944. However, New Zealand still relies drastically on imported antibiotics, medicines and vaccines. In consequence of the event, The Ministry of Health has worked and coordinated with the health sectors and government to prepare for the upcoming pandemic. The World Health Organisation or WHO will provide an early warning of the flu so the governments