Flu Epidemic at Monbo, Long Island, N.C., Also Some Smallpox, Jan. 28, 1920

From the Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 28, 1920

‘Flu’ Epidemic Reported at Monbo

Dr. George W. Shipp, county health officer, phoned the Record from Newton today that influenza had broken out at Monbo and Long Island and that the state board of health had been wired for physicians and nurses. There are about 150 cases of a severe form at the two places, Dr. Shipp reported. The flu is epidemic there.

All physicians of the county are requested to report immediately any cases of influenza that come under their observation.

Dr. Shipp said that the disease was more or less scattered throughout the county, but has reached an epidemic stage at Monbo and Long Island. There are 10 or 15 cases at Newton, four or five at Hickory and a few cases in other parts of the county.

There are a number of smallpox cases in the county also and citizens are urged to take precautions against this disease. The only safe method is to be vaccinated.