Influenza in Sri Lanka, 1918-1919 : the impact of a new disease in a pre-modern Third World setting

Abstract

In 1918–1919 there was an unusually serious influenza pandemic. The main object in this paper is to establish the course and impact of this outbreak in Sri Lanka using census and registration data. Influenza probably entered the country through the port of Colombo and possibly also through the port of Talaimannar. As elsewhere there was a mild first wave followed by a virulent second wave characterized by fatal pneumonic complications. Women suffered heavier mortality than men and young adults more (relatively) than other age groups. Fertility fell. Probably about 1.1 per cent of the population died. Show more