Westinghouse broadcasting and pittsburgh teamed up with the American Medical Association, the u. S. Public Health Service and the university of pittsburgh to produce the silent invader. The film is from the digital cle collections of the u. S. Library. The Westinghouse Broadcasting company and university of pittsburgh one of the nations Major Health Centers in cooperation with the American Medical Society and the United States public Health Service bring you the silent invader. An uptotheminute report on asian influenza. How do you do . Ill carl ives. Throughout history, mankind has been forced to wage many battles in order to protect his family or nation against misfortune, disaster or even possible extinction. Sometimes these wars have been, well, theyve been catastrophic. There was a catastrophe in 1918 when an influenza epidemic swept through our own nation as well as the entire world. Unlike the battles of nation against nation, or humanity against the forces of nature, when man is often had an opportunity to prepare himself, the battles against disease throughout the centuries have often found man in the unfortunate position of having to combat this enemy only after it had been infail traded in the community and infected much of 9 population. Recently youve been aware of a pandemic or a worldwide epidemic which originated in the far east and knew known at asian inflorida enz sa. Becauseofo unfluenza. Because of the efficiency of the United States public Health Service and the world health organization, a detection system similar to that of the aircraft spotting has been established throughout the world, and has enabled us to recognize and follow the progress of asian influenza as it circles the globe. Health authorities expect an outbreak this fall and winter in the United States. But not in such portion as in the 1918 epidemic. Now the man upon whose shoulders rests the responsibility for preparing the United States for the impending battle with asian influenza is dr. Leroy e. Bernie, Surgeon General of the United States public Health Service. Dr. Bernie, i imagine you and your staff have been gathering quite a tremendous amount of material on asian flu. Seems to me everybody i know has had and has talked about influenza but i dont think anyone really knows what it is. Carl, its a, one of the upper respiratory infections, like a cold, only caused by flu virus, ands the difference between the asian influenza and the influenza weve been having all of these past few years is that this strain began in, the strain of the virus, began in hong kong and spread from hong kong to the rest of the world, including the United States. Uhhuh. Well, every year influenza is a problem in our communities. Im sure it is in yours, too. Why are we suddenly so all concerned about it now . Well, thats a have good question. We are concerned, because in the other countries in which its appeared and even in the outbreaks weve had so far in this country, the attack rate has been 15 to 20 of the population. And this attack range occurs in about four to six weeks. For example in metropolitan pittsburgh with approximately 1 Million People, if we had this flu here you would have approximately 200,000 people who would become ill and in four to six week of period and this, of course, would make a tremendous impact upon the economy of this particular area. Thats understandable. Weve all heard of outbreaks here in this country, dr. Bernie. Exactly how far has it spread . Well, it spread all over the United States. The first cases occurred surprisingly enough on the east coast rather than on the west coast. Among Navy Personnel at newport, ride ohlu rhode island. 9 sex case in navy and civilian personnel in san diego. Since that time, of course, about the 1st of june it has spread and localized outbreaks from iowa to the boy scout jam berry b b jamboree in pennsylvania and throughout the United States. I didnt realize that was actually the asian flu that hit that jamboree in our own state. That it was asian flu. Thats right. Dr. Bernie, not many died from asian influenza in the rest of the world. Do you think the same will hold true here in the United States . We have the belief now based upon the experience of asian influenza in the other countries, in south america at the present time where it is an epidemic proportions and as a result of the outbreaks in this country so far. That it is a mild infection, and with a very low mortality rate, and we believe it will continue to be both a mild infection and have a very low death rate. Well, is it a possibility that asian flu might turn into, if i might use the word, a killer . Well, that is a possibility, of course, and that has happened in preceding years when we have had epidemics. Back in 1888 when we had a large epidemic, and then many of us recall the 198919 epidemic when we had a mild influenza epidemic in the spring of 1918 and then in the fall we had a large outbreak, a very viralant influenza followed by serious complications and then another wave hit us in the february or march of 1919. At that time as you may recall in that whole period, we had about 20 million cases in the United States, and about 850,000 deaths. But i would like to add that conditions are quite different now than they were then and in the first place we have a mild strain of influenza, nos a virulent strain and in the second place we have the antibiotics to combat any complications that might i rise, which we did not have in 1918. Uhhuh. Well, doctor, with the disease spreading so rapidly, what exactly now are we doing to combat it . Well, actually, carl, we are doing, trying to do three things. One is to develop as rapidly as possible the only preventive agent we have against influenza and that is the vaccine against this particular strain of the vaccine. Of the virus. And that is being done in six of the large pharmaceutical manufacturers in this country. The strain was collected by an alert, u. S. Army medical team in tokyo, and sent back to this country and then given to the u. S. Public Health Service. We distributed to manufacturers and they, in turn, actually began to manufacture the vaccine before we had had the first case in this country. So now our job is to get more of that vaccine available, and to get the public to use it. Number two, we have to be prepared to take care of the individuals who become ill. And we have been working since early june with the American Medical Association, the American Hospital association, state health officers, voluntary groups and others to prepare for taking care of those who become ill, and finally, the matter of having an alert and informed public. One who will be aware of the facts about being unduly alarmed and certainly this program of the Westinghouse Broadcasting company is a good example of Public Service to have an alert but not an alarm public. Well, dr. Bernie, you and your public Health Service crew, if i can use that word, crew, seemed to have made Great Strides to get us ready for this possible epidemic in such a short time. Weve had a lot of help. I can assure you, carl. It hasnt been a one organization or previously we had the full cooperation and support of the American Medical Association in both the educational and medical care part and then in working with the manufacturers to get them to manufacture the vaccine and to stop other activities and to build up their staffs. I think we can all be proud of the industry which we have in this country. Its another example of the knowhow and the expeditious way in which Free Enterprise through our american industry can do a good job. The vaccine or the virus given to the industries about the middle of may and with three months the vaccine was being released through our National Institutes of health as being a safer and effective vaccinvacci. Thats a good example of teamwork and very expeditious work by the manufacturers. Uhhuh. Another example of this teamwork and to illustrate this isnt a oneman show we have with us this evening, id like to present dr. James a. Crabtree, a graduate of the Pittsburgh Public School of health to explain how this spread throughout the world. Thank you, dr. Bernie and grad dr. Crabtree is with you tonight too. How do you do . Weve been discussing the fact the asian flu covered a lot of territory in a short time, but i would like to know how did it all get started . Well, the exact point of origin of the influenza virus is, of course, not known. But the current epidemic, had its beginning, as dr. Bernie indicated, in hong kong and singapore. This was in early april. By midapril, the diseases had become indeed epidemic in both of these cities, and remains so throughout the rest of the month. From hong kong and singapore the d. C. Rapidly in early may had moved to the island here and here its estimated as many as half a Million People were attacked within a relatively short time. From formosa also during the month of may, the disease next made its appearance in borneo and japan. And from the major shipping centers from these several areas, the disease very rapidly scattered into widely such widely separated places as malaya, indonesia, india, guam, and the philippines. The first cases also in late may, the disease was reported as far away as australia and onboard several ships en route from australia to San Francisco. The first appearance of the disease in the United States was on june 2nd. This date is important, because it means only a short six weeks from the time the first cases were reported in china, they occurred in the United States. This indicates the great rapidity how the diseases can spread over the world. By midjune this d. C. Had practically circled the globe including southeast asia, southwest asia, the middle east, europe, australia and north america. Late in june the disease made its appearance in north africa. Introduced probably by the muslims returning from their pilgrimages to mecca. So that finally in late july, in early july, the disease made its appearance in chile in south america so that in three short months, every continent on the globe had been involved in this great pandemic. Dr. Crabtree, you mentioned it had been reported on ships en route to San Francisco and that several cases were definitely diagnosed among our fleet at newport, rhode island. Wouldnt it have been comparatively simple to have isolated these known cases preventing the spread of them and kept them from coming in at all . Unfortunately, not so simple for the reason that quarantine against influenza is not effective. Had it been possible for all of the cases onboard the ships to have been isolated, it would have had little effect on the actual spread of the disease, because undoubtedly there were many more people onboard these same ships who by reason of a more recently acquired infection would have shown no symptoms whatsoever of the d. Isease, and the, therefore, could note have been readily identified if passing through a quarantine station. I see. Dr. Bernie mentioned approximately 25,000 known cases in this nation. Are they all bunched in one area of the United States . Or has the virus spread all over . The virus has spread all over. We have some maps here in the studio that the Television Audience can see which graphically shows how the disease has spread in the United States starting from the newport, rhode island and the west coast. During the month of june, the disease had spread to salt lake city, utah. From grinnell, iowa, cleveland, ohio, and a few cases along the east coast. If we could have the map from showing the spread in july, we see that the disease starting from these original centers has literally moved in practically every direction throughout the country. Then the final map sort of speaks for itself in that it indicates that this virus has become very well seeded in practically every state in the country, certainly in every major region of the country. Well, i think ive got a pretty good idea how influenza spreads but still wondering about the virus itself. What kind of animal is it . Carl, id like to present to you one of our staff from the National Institute of health at the public Health Service, dr. Darylened, in charge of Infectious Diseases and answer this question and any other scientific questions you have. Awfully nice to you have come see us and have your time tonight. May seem a silly question, but what is this virus like . What is this virus . To begin with, carl, influenza is a specific disease caused by a specific virus. This virus was first isolated back in 1931 by dr. Shelf, the Rockefeller Institute and then subsequently in 1933, shown to cause human disease by a british scientist. By british scientists. Now we know there are three Major Classifications of virus. Uhhuh. Types a, b and c. And more recently, a new type, fourth type, d, that been prescribed in japan. Uhhuh. Uhhuh. Well this, a, b, c and d, is this fourth types the d type is that the asian flu . No, no. You talk about it being related to type a. That confuses me, the a, b and c. The type a influenza is the influenza which commonly causes epidemics and pandemics at intervals throughout the recent years. Uhhuh. Now, the asian type of virus is a type a and it causes the kind of disease which we have had in recent years. Uhhuh. Now, the however, the antigenic composition of this asian type is different from that which we have described in the more recent strains. So that a person who is immune to the older strains is probably not immune to this new strain. And, thus, the vaccine, which has been developed in recent years by dr. Franz socis sock a others have probably no effect on this invader from asia. I guess this is one of the reasons i never would get into medical school. A new vaccine has to be made each time a new strain comes along . That is correct. Is it . Yes. That explains why they dont have this live vaccine in stock . Yes. That is correct. I think everybodys hearing a good deal about the asian flu story, but will a person know if he has asian flu . If so, how . Well, i think you will know. Sometimes a physician finds it a little difficult to diagnose it, because the symptoms maybe are similar to those caused by other respiratory virus or actual lly respiratory we must use labs to know the specifics. Two kinds. One is actual isolation of the virus and second is demonstration of antibodies that appear in the blood of the person while he has the disease. Now, this often takes a little time and really doesnt help the patients physician very much, but it is important for us to know what kind of disease is prevalent in the community and to, to discover what the type is, and follow its course. I see. Well, naturally, the thing most people are concerned about is the vaccine first of all and particularly how it works in the system. Seems to me that being made from real asian influenza virus, wouldnt it be some danger in being vaccinated . No. Theres no danger at all. The vaccine is completely killed during the process of being prepared. Uhhuh. The vaccine is made by injecting the virus into fertile chicken eggs where the virus grows, and then by processing the fluids in the vaccine, its made by the manufacturers. It requires about 40 days to manufacture and to test this vaccine. I see. Well, dr. Bernie, i can breathe a lot easier knowing a little about how this vaccine is made and that there isnt any live virus in it and certainly impress with the way your Public Health team operates. I mentioned it before and want to impress that upon our viewers as well as myself. Up to now i think youve gervin me at the rest of the audience a complete pick cheture of the as flu, i rather doubt a complete picture because we left out one of the most important groups of our total team in meeting the challenge of this new asian influenza and that is the American Medical Association, which represents the physicians throughout our entire country. We have worked with them from the beginning of this, and have had complete support and understanding from that group, and i would like to present to you here now the secretary and general manager of the American Medical Association, dr. George love. Thank you again, doctor. Dr. Lull, pressure to you have here. Your home part i believe is chicago . Right. Can you explain further about this possibly flu epidemic . In planning for a possible flu epidemic the medical profession has three responsibilities. Keeping the doctors informed on the progress of the disease. Spearheading the mobilization of all medical personnel who will be concerned with the caring for the sick, and informing the public on what to do once the virus has struck. The doctors are being informed about asian influenza through our weekly journal and through many scientific periodicals published by the various states and county medical societys. Theyre being encouraged to cooperate with the public Health Service in detecting the presence of the virus and its spread from community to community. Theyre being provided with late reports on the technical aspects of the disease, and with instructions regarding the administration of the vaccine. The American Medical Association has asked every local medical society toll organize a committee of those who would be involved in an epidemic so that an agreement can be reached in advance on such matters as vaccine priority, handling of transients, hospital, admission procedures and so forth, and if an epidemic does strike, the medical professions will use every means of communication possible, in pamphlets, newspaper, radio and television to tell the general public what to do. It is important, we feel, that families know the symptoms of the disease and the basic points to follow in home care of the flu victim. What are the symptoms, dr. Lull . Well, the asian influenza is characterized by a rapid onsite high fever often as high as 104 degrees. Headache, sore throat, aching muscles and extreme weakness. The recognition of symptoms, of course, is important early in an epidemic. Once the asian flu takes hold in the community, why youll know what it is without checking the symptoms. Well, when you do get asian flu, doctor, how do you care for it at home . Ideally your doctor should be called an his ininstructions followed. However, in an epidemic situation you may not be able to gish your case as complete attention. In that event these are things to remember. First, keep away from others. Second, go to bed. Third, drink a lot of fluids, water and fruit juices, and fourth, if your doctor recommends it, take a feverreducing agent. And fifth, call your doctor if any unusual symptoms develop. What do you mean by unusual sim toms . Symptoms . Well, primarily those that would indicate the onset of some lung involvement. A heavy cough, rapid breathing, blueness of the lips. I see. Thank you very much, dr. Lull. And now im going to ask dr. Bernie if he would summarize our discussion. This fall and winter we may see serious outbreaks of influenza in the United States, as a consequence of the epidemic which began last april in the far east. Unlike similar instances in the past, however, we believe that the size and severity of the epidemic can, in this, be minimized in this country. Thus it is the opinion of experts that there is no need for hysteria or panic. The influenza is concern in the first place. We are prepared for the invasion, and in the second place, we now have the means through a new vaccine to help prevent this influenza. Perhaps the story of infection by infloriuenza virus can be summarized in this manner. There is a pandemic. A worldwide epidemic of asian influenza which has attacked most of the nations of the world. Laboratory tests have shown that it definitely has reached the United States, attacking both military and civilian personnel. The virus causing this influenza has been isolated and recognized as a member of the familiar type a virus. An effective and safe vaccine has been developed as a preventive and currently is in production by six pharmaceutical houses in this country. At the present time, asian influenza can best be classified as a mild virus disease which attacks many people, but has a very low death rate. Experts say that it is probable that an ep democrat liepidemic sometime between late fall and early winter. For the first time in history, a nation, our own United States, is in the fortunate position of being ahead of an impending epidemic and thus has had the time to organize for an allout offensive against asian influenza. There is always the possibility of an increased of the infection as the epidemic increases. However, the new vaccine has been proven effective in control studies conducted by the military, and should be an excellent weapon to combat the disease if the epidemic progresses. When the vaccine is made available for public use, the public Health Service and the American Medical Association hope that the nation as a whole will participate in a voluntary program of vaccination against the prevalence of this influenza. Rest assured that there is no need for alarm, panic or hysteria. If there is a change in the situation, you will be informed immediately through the Public Education channel of your American Medical Association, United States public Health Service and state and Territorial Health offices. This program, by the way, which is the result of a combined effort of organized medicine, private industry and education is an excellent example of the type of Public Information and education we are setting up. In closing, i would like to urge you to make use of the new vaccine when it becomes available, knowing, meanwhile, that you will cooperate with the medical profession and the Public Health authority if it becomes necessary to set up priorities for those groups responsible for Public Welfare and safety and who must continue their Important Services if others of us are temple rarely incapacitated by asian influenza. Dr. Bernie, im sure i speak for you with us during this program when i say, how much we appreciate all of you gentlemen taking your valuable time to come here so that we might be better informed on asian flu and what is being done about it. Participants on tonights show have been dr. Leroy e. Bernie, Surgeon General of the United States public Health Service. Dr. James a. Crabtree, associate dean of the university of pittsburgh, graduate school of Public Health. Dr. Dollened j. Dashs, in chark of research of the National Institution of allergy and Infectious DiseasesUnited States public Health Services. Dr. George lull of the American Medical Association. The silent invader was written by tom coleman. Produced by roger wolf. Directed by jack simon. Script research by rose marie stockyellow and kay mcdonough. The silent invader brought 0 to you by the Westinghouse Company in association with the Health Education and welfare, and the university of Pittsburgh Health center. Were featuring American History tv programs this week as a preview of whats available every weekend on cspan3. Tonight a look at the modern presidency beginning with three former white house speech writers talking about the process of turning a president s policies and politics into a speech. American history tv tonight at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan3. Every saturday night American History tv takes you to College Classrooms around the country for lectures in history. Why do you all know who lizzy borden is and raise your hand if you ever heard of this murder, the jean harris murder trial before this class . The deepest cause where well find the true meaning of the revolution what in this transformation that took place in the minds of the american people. So were going to talk about both of these sides of the story here, right . The tools, the techniques of slave owner power, and also talk about the tools and techniques of power that were practiced by enslaved people. Watch history professors lead discussions with their students on topics ranging from the American Revolution to september 11th. Lectures in history on cspan3 every saturdayat