Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream.

LISTEN
Watch
on air now

Create a 2GB account today!

You can now log in once to listen live, watch live, join competitions, enjoy exclusive 2GB content and other benefits.


Joining is free and easy.

You will soon need to register to keep streaming 2GB online. Register an account or skip for now to do it later.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Centenary of ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic in Australia

Michael McLaren

The pneumonic influenza or ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic of 1918-19 killed more than 50 million people worldwide. As soldiers returned to their home countries following the Great War of 1914-1918, the flu spread rapidly around the globe. It was the deadliest outbreak of infectious disease since the ‘Black Death’ of the Middle Ages.

‘Spanish Flu’ came ashore in Victoria in January 1919 and within months had spread to almost all major cities and towns across Australia.

Michael is joined by historian Dr Peter Hobbs to talk about this near forgotten piece of Australian history that saw about a third of our population falling ill and around 15,000 having died as a result of the infection.

Download this podcast here

Michael McLaren
Advertisement