Pandemic in Parramatta: 1919 Spanish ‘Flu.

The deadly ‘Spanish flu’ pandemic swept the world in 1918-19, killing an astonishing 50 to 100 million people. The deadly virus reached Sydney in January 1919, and shortly after, Parramatta was in the grip of an outbreak.

Join us, on this centenary anniversary year of the pandemic in Parramatta, for an event where social history and medical virology intersect to explore the profound impact of the disease on our local communities.

Where did the virus originate? How did Parramatta prepare for the approaching pandemic? What was the impact of the outbreak on society, commerce, and domestic life in Parramatta? And could such a pandemic happen again?

Expert speaker: Professor Dominic Dwyer, Medical Virologist; Director of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research; Director of Public Health Pathology, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital

Held in partnership between Parramatta Heritage Centre and Westmead Hospital.