DOH125 Podcast # 5 - Bubonic Plague in Florida??!

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Welcome to the Florida Department of Health podcast. 2014 marks the 125th anniversary of the Florida Department of Health; and in commemoration of this milestone of statewide public health service, we present the DOH125 podcast series. Join our podcast, as we take you back in time and explore some of the most memorable events of public health efforts since
the department, then called the State Board of Health, was established on February 20, 1889. 

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Bubonic Plague in Florida??! 


You might think that the Bubonic Plague only existed back in time in the mid 1300's. But did you know that the Bubonic Plague was in Florida during the roaring '20s? (Flapper Music Plays). The 1920's that is? 

On June 5th, 1920, the City of Pensacola reported bubonic plague, the same plague that ravaged Europe for 4 centuries. This deadly disease played a role in early biological warfare; in 1346, the Tartars used plague-ridden corpses as projectiles to launch over the ramparts during the siege of Caffa. (Sound effects: catapult launching, screams). The results were devastating, as infected survivors of the attack would flee the city and carry the plague to Italy. From there, the disease went rampant, killing as much as quarter to a half of the population in the regions it tore through.

Despite new knowledge that rats were somehow associated with the disease in 17th century, (Sound effects: rats) epidemics of bubonic plague continued to surface until modern antibiotics were available in the 1940s. When reports of rats escaping ships caused bubonic plague in Pensacola, Florida on June 5th, 1920, the State Board of Health responded with swift action. 
In the 1920 annual report, State Health Officer Dr. Ralph N. Greene wrote about the response to the plague:

"Bubonic plague was reported in the City of Pensacola on June 5th, 1920. Immediately upon receipt of telegraphic notification of the existence of suspected bubonic plague, the State Health Officer and the Senior Bacteriologist of the State Board of Health immediately proceeded to Pensacola where it was found that Doctor F.A. Brink, bacteriologist in charge of the Pensacola Laboratory, Doctor S.R. Mallory Kennedy, of the United States Public Health Service, and Doctor H.L. Bryans had correctly diagnosed the condition and official announcement was made that plague existed in Pensacola.

The United States Public Health Service was promptly notified, with a request that they send a representative to confirm the diagnosis.

Doctor Charles L. Williams, of the United States Public Health Service, a bubonic plague expert, was detailed from New Orleans to Pensacola to investigate the case and upon arrival confirmed the diagnosis.

Shortly thereafter the United States Public Health Service assumed charge of the situation in cooperation with the State Board of Health.

The City of Pensacola appropriated a sum of five thousand dollars to meet the emergency.

The State Board of Health agreed to finance the proposition as far as was necessary. 

The United States Public Health Service, for a time, bore a monthly expense of approximately ten thousand dollars, same having been gradually reduced until at the present time they are bearing a major part of the expense at about five thousand dollars monthly outlay.

Suffice to say, bubonic plague was promptly controlled, with the result that, up to date, ten cases have occurred, six deaths have occurred, approximately twenty thousand rats have been examined, extensive rat-proofing has been put into effect and it is believed that the situation is absolutely under control.

Sporadic cases may occur from time to time as this appears to be the history of the plague epidemics."

As then State Health Officer Dr. Ralph Greene reported, the State Board of Health was prepared to rapidly mobilize to respond to any public health threats, such as this outbreak of bubonic plague.


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Until next time...Thank you for listening to the DOH125 podcast. We hope you join us in recognizing one hundred twenty-five years of protecting, promoting, and improving the health of Florida's citizens and visitors. For more information, please visit our website at www.floridahealth.gov.

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