Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA

Previous studies investigating the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic have provided a comprehensive overview of the spread of the pandemic and possible explanations for high mortality rates in Alaska, USA. Our understanding of the role of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is limited, however. To gai...

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Main Authors: Uddhav Khakurel, Lisa Sattenspiel, Svenn-Erik Mamelund
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2025-07-01
Series:Emerging Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/7/24-1048_article
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author Uddhav Khakurel
Lisa Sattenspiel
Svenn-Erik Mamelund
author_facet Uddhav Khakurel
Lisa Sattenspiel
Svenn-Erik Mamelund
author_sort Uddhav Khakurel
collection DOAJ
description Previous studies investigating the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic have provided a comprehensive overview of the spread of the pandemic and possible explanations for high mortality rates in Alaska, USA. Our understanding of the role of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is limited, however. To gain an overview of various agencies’ efforts to protect communities during the pandemic, we conducted a mixed-method assessment of a large pool of digitized historical newspapers and archival materials covering Alaska’s local and territorial responses to the pandemic. The study encompassed 14 local units of Alaska that implemented NPIs during October 1918–January 1919. Analyses indicated that 8 local units avoided the outbreak by implementing NPIs and that the other 6 units controlled the spread of influenza by implementing NPIs after the virus was introduced. In addition, some Indigenous communities escaped the pandemic by implementing mandatory and voluntary restrictions. Information on the effects NPI of could guide future influenza pandemic preparedness and response.
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publisher Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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spelling doaj-art-d110e4213e284a5fa0ece2d711d52ab92025-08-20T03:26:56ZengCenters for Disease Control and PreventionEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-60592025-07-013171406141410.3201/eid3107.241048Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USAUddhav KhakurelLisa SattenspielSvenn-Erik Mamelund Previous studies investigating the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic have provided a comprehensive overview of the spread of the pandemic and possible explanations for high mortality rates in Alaska, USA. Our understanding of the role of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is limited, however. To gain an overview of various agencies’ efforts to protect communities during the pandemic, we conducted a mixed-method assessment of a large pool of digitized historical newspapers and archival materials covering Alaska’s local and territorial responses to the pandemic. The study encompassed 14 local units of Alaska that implemented NPIs during October 1918–January 1919. Analyses indicated that 8 local units avoided the outbreak by implementing NPIs and that the other 6 units controlled the spread of influenza by implementing NPIs after the virus was introduced. In addition, some Indigenous communities escaped the pandemic by implementing mandatory and voluntary restrictions. Information on the effects NPI of could guide future influenza pandemic preparedness and response. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/7/24-1048_articleInfluenzarespiratory infectionsvirusespandemicnonpharmaceutical interventionsisolated areas
spellingShingle Uddhav Khakurel
Lisa Sattenspiel
Svenn-Erik Mamelund
Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Influenza
respiratory infections
viruses
pandemic
nonpharmaceutical interventions
isolated areas
title Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA
title_full Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA
title_fullStr Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA
title_full_unstemmed Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA
title_short Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions during 1918–1920 Influenza Pandemic, Alaska, USA
title_sort role of nonpharmaceutical interventions during 1918 1920 influenza pandemic alaska usa
topic Influenza
respiratory infections
viruses
pandemic
nonpharmaceutical interventions
isolated areas
url https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/7/24-1048_article
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