Yellow Fever Epidemics

Back in Florida now…

 

Sometimes we get a little sick from a cold or flu that’s going around. It’s hard to remember that at many different times in history there have been deadly epidemics from diseases that are now rare in the U.S.  While other port cities had occasional outbreaks, coastal cities in Florida were frequently struck with epidemics from yellow fever (also called Yellow Jack) in the 1800’s.  Different stories:

-    Rev. Saunders of Old Christ Church died from yellow fever in 1839 and was buried under the vestry room of the church (pictured).

-    In 1853, 253 people died of yellow fever.  Several were buried at St. Michael’s cemetery including the father, son, and daughter buried here.

After serving only 10 weeks as rector, Rev. Flowers died from yellow fever in the same epidemic.  He was buried beneath the Old Christ Church with Rev. Saunders along with another rector who died from tuberculosis.  Their bodies are still there.  This same epidemic killed 11,000 people in the bigger town of New Orleans.   

-   It is believed that these two seamen died of yellow fever in 1867.  The markers are made from cast iron, a material used more in Europe than here.  The epidemic must have been so bad that New York doctors were requested to help the city.  Locally, the Navy Yard closed and officers were granted leave.  An estimated 150 to 200 people died due to yellow fever.

 

-    In Pensacola, 354 out of 1400 residents died in 1874. That’s 25 percent!

 -    In 1882, an epidemic struck again killing at least 78.  One story is a ship navigator contracted yellow fever.  His ship left him but he recovered and found a job tending bar in a saloon.  The saloon owner soon died in the epidemic.  Two years later he married the widow and became the owner.  He became a major businessman in the area.

-    A major epidemic in1890 is also mentioned.

-    The last epidemic was recorded in 1905.

Doctors tried to establish screening and quarantine procedures, fumigation techniques, and methods for treating the sick, but even today there is no cure for yellow fever. Many people fled to the country during an epidemic. Since the type of mosquito that transferred the virus preferred clean water such as in urban areas, this helped them avoid the sickness.  Local papers didn’t discuss an epidemic until it was over so it wouldn’t affect shipping and immigration while doctors didn’t want to announce an epidemic since people would leave and perhaps infect more people.  No one knew what caused the disease. 

It wasn’t until 1900 that Dr. Walter Reed proved that yellow fever was transmitted by mosquitoes.  Mosquito control methods were developed.  The first vaccine against yellow fever was developed in the 1930’s.  Even today, around the world 30,000 people die each year from yellow fever.