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#Gibraltar and its last Epidemic - 10 Minute Interesting Read #Thread
Gibraltar's population was devastatingly impacted by yellow fever in the 1800s. I'll (try to) briefly summarise some interesting findings in an excellent book by Benady, Sawchuk and Burke. (1/17)
Gibraltar's population was devastatingly impacted by yellow fever in the 1800s. I'll (try to) briefly summarise some interesting findings in an excellent book by Benady, Sawchuk and Burke. (1/17)
Gibraltar's Population 1704-1840
Gib's pop. increased dramatically in the early 1800s. This meant that many poor families lived in overcrowded houses, normally hidden up the rock. The richer, often military personnel, lived in the spacious South District. (2/17)
Gib's pop. increased dramatically in the early 1800s. This meant that many poor families lived in overcrowded houses, normally hidden up the rock. The richer, often military personnel, lived in the spacious South District. (2/17)
Gibraltar's Population 1828-29
There were approximately 16,400 civilians living in Gibraltar in March 1829 with a sizeable % of those being under 12 years old (indicating population growth). Additionally, almost 3,400 military personnel resided in Gibraltar. (3/17)
There were approximately 16,400 civilians living in Gibraltar in March 1829 with a sizeable % of those being under 12 years old (indicating population growth). Additionally, almost 3,400 military personnel resided in Gibraltar. (3/17)
How Is Yellow Fever (YF) Transmitted
YF is a virus carried from human to human by means of the biting mosquito (the vector). Benady et al note that oddly enough, in Gibraltar, the mosquito prefers to feed on the human ankle area! (4/17)
YF is a virus carried from human to human by means of the biting mosquito (the vector). Benady et al note that oddly enough, in Gibraltar, the mosquito prefers to feed on the human ankle area! (4/17)
Yellow Fever Outbreak
Although the origin of the yellow epidemic in Gibraltar is unknown (varying accounts of merchants starting it, the mosquito A. aegypti or even pinning the blame on a Jew), the first area to be affected was a region in the wealthy South. (5/17)
Although the origin of the yellow epidemic in Gibraltar is unknown (varying accounts of merchants starting it, the mosquito A. aegypti or even pinning the blame on a Jew), the first area to be affected was a region in the wealthy South. (5/17)
Symptoms of YF (Graphic)
YF is a horrific viral disease. Local hospital records show that ppl infected had high temperatures, pain, black vomit & yellow skin. Those severely affected had nosebleeds, gastric bleeding and bleeding from other crevices. (6/17)
YF is a horrific viral disease. Local hospital records show that ppl infected had high temperatures, pain, black vomit & yellow skin. Those severely affected had nosebleeds, gastric bleeding and bleeding from other crevices. (6/17)
Local Deaths
Gibraltar suffered from 3 particularly tragic yellow fever episodes:
1804: 864 Military Deaths and 4864 Civilian Deaths (see image)
1813: 391 Military Deaths and 508 Civilian Deaths
1828: 507 Military Deaths and 1,170 Civilian Deaths (7/17)
Gibraltar suffered from 3 particularly tragic yellow fever episodes:
1804: 864 Military Deaths and 4864 Civilian Deaths (see image)
1813: 391 Military Deaths and 508 Civilian Deaths
1828: 507 Military Deaths and 1,170 Civilian Deaths (7/17)
Weekly Distribution
Gib saw a peak in deaths at Week 7 of the 1928 epidemic. Approx 270 deaths were recorded in 1 week. For such a small pop this was extremely devastating.
Death rate of 19 per 1,000 living civilians and 26 per 1,000 military personnel at the peak. (8/17)
Gib saw a peak in deaths at Week 7 of the 1928 epidemic. Approx 270 deaths were recorded in 1 week. For such a small pop this was extremely devastating.
Death rate of 19 per 1,000 living civilians and 26 per 1,000 military personnel at the peak. (8/17)
Burials
Tragically, burials became common. Up to 100 bodies were sometimes thrown into long trenches. Incredibly, a woman who had lost consciousness was thought to be dead, partially buried and was found the next day by a passerby. She escaped and made a full recovery! (9/17)
Tragically, burials became common. Up to 100 bodies were sometimes thrown into long trenches. Incredibly, a woman who had lost consciousness was thought to be dead, partially buried and was found the next day by a passerby. She escaped and made a full recovery! (9/17)
Quarantine
Just as with this #Covid19 pandemic, quarantine measures were enforced on Gibraltarians. Free movement was all but halted and merchants refused access to the Rock. See the below Proclamation from Lieut-Governor Don in relation to port lockdown measures. (10/17)
Just as with this #Covid19 pandemic, quarantine measures were enforced on Gibraltarians. Free movement was all but halted and merchants refused access to the Rock. See the below Proclamation from Lieut-Governor Don in relation to port lockdown measures. (10/17)
Some Strange Rules
- Merchandise handled with iron tongs
- Money immersed in vinegar
- "The Pallenque" - a neutral strip of land created between Gibraltar and Spain where either side would place goods in the middle, retreat and allow their trading partners to collect (11/17)
- Merchandise handled with iron tongs
- Money immersed in vinegar
- "The Pallenque" - a neutral strip of land created between Gibraltar and Spain where either side would place goods in the middle, retreat and allow their trading partners to collect (11/17)
Controversial! Immunity Passports
After medical officials realised that those who had previously contracted YF were not being readmitted to hospital, the authorities issued "Fever Tickets" - immunity passports. If you had one, you could roam freely throughout Gibraltar! (12/17)
After medical officials realised that those who had previously contracted YF were not being readmitted to hospital, the authorities issued "Fever Tickets" - immunity passports. If you had one, you could roam freely throughout Gibraltar! (12/17)
Gibraltar Chronicle
The @GibChronicle was the only official source of information available to the public. As they do magnificently in these #Coronavirus times, they kept Gibraltar up to date with the latest statistics throughout the 1828 yellow fever epidemic. (13/17)
The @GibChronicle was the only official source of information available to the public. As they do magnificently in these #Coronavirus times, they kept Gibraltar up to date with the latest statistics throughout the 1828 yellow fever epidemic. (13/17)
Economic Impact
As a trading base Gibraltar's economy collapsed. 4,822 individuals became economically distressed and 1/3 of the population suffered "immense hardship". Property value also fell by 40-50%. (14/17)
As a trading base Gibraltar's economy collapsed. 4,822 individuals became economically distressed and 1/3 of the population suffered "immense hardship". Property value also fell by 40-50%. (14/17)
Cautious Generalisations
Daniel Fox (1989) notes that in most outbreaks one should expect the following: Underestimation at the beginning, fear and anxiety as it gains strength, denial, efforts to quarantine, shortage of doctors and more (see below diagram) (15/17)
Daniel Fox (1989) notes that in most outbreaks one should expect the following: Underestimation at the beginning, fear and anxiety as it gains strength, denial, efforts to quarantine, shortage of doctors and more (see below diagram) (15/17)
Gibraltar’s Character
Thankfully in these Covid19 times, many of the negative generalisations have been avoided. Our @GibraltarGov has acted quickly and effectively, Gibraltarians have listened, acted like the family we are and opportunism has been replaced by charity. (16/17)
Thankfully in these Covid19 times, many of the negative generalisations have been avoided. Our @GibraltarGov has acted quickly and effectively, Gibraltarians have listened, acted like the family we are and opportunism has been replaced by charity. (16/17)
Coronavirus Pandemic
Thankfully as I write this, the CM @FabianPicardo has today announced that Gibraltar now has 84 recovered cases. The devastating impacts of past viruses are being avoided, at least for now. We must continue however to follow Gov. advice. (17/17)
Thankfully as I write this, the CM @FabianPicardo has today announced that Gibraltar now has 84 recovered cases. The devastating impacts of past viruses are being avoided, at least for now. We must continue however to follow Gov. advice. (17/17)
