La epidemia de gripe de 1918 en Antequera (Málaga)

  1. Mercedes Fernández Paradas
  2. Rafael Ravina Ripoll
  3. Nuria Rodríguez Martín
Journal:
Revista de Demografía Histórica-Journal of Iberoamerican Population Studies

ISSN: 2696-4325

Year of publication: 2021

Volume: 39

Issue: 3

Pages: 57-81

Type: Article

More publications in: Revista de Demografía Histórica-Journal of Iberoamerican Population Studies

Abstract

This article addresses the impact of the Spanish influenza epidemic in Antequera (Malaga). The disease caused a very high mortality rate between June and December of 1918. The data collected and analyzed for this paper have revealed two waves in the development of the epidemic, the first between June and September, the second between October and December, which was more virulent. Therefore, there was no third wave, unlike what happened in the rest of the world. The article also examines the actions of the City Council and the Municipal Health Board. The findings reveal the negligence of the authorities, as they decided to put economic interests first and to hide information to the citizens. Accordingly, they did not take the measures that could have served to slow down the spread of the illness and the impact of the pandemic