Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Bonus Episode: History Daily - The First Reported Case of the Spanish Flu
Feb 7, 2026
A gripping retelling of the first reported Spanish Flu case and how it exploded from a single soldier into a global pandemic. Scenes trace troop movements, ships and trenches as carriers spread illness worldwide. A disastrous parade in Philadelphia and strict public health measures in Seattle reveal contrasting responses. The story draws parallels to modern pandemic actions and controversies.
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First Known Case At Fort Riley
- Private Albert Gitchell woke in the Fort Riley infirmary on March 11, 1918 with fever, cough, and blue-tinged face indicating severe respiratory illness.
- His case quickly preceded over 1,000 infections at the camp and marks the first reported Spanish flu patient.
Troops Spread The Virus To Trenches
- Troops transported the virus from the U.S. to Europe where soldiers in trenches contracted what medics called "Flanders' Grip."
- Those infected carried the disease back to ports and civilian populations, accelerating global spread.
Global Ports Fueled Rapid Outbreaks
- Wounded Indian soldiers arriving in Bombay sparked rapid local outbreaks that overwhelmed cities like Bombay and Freetown.
- The disease killed thousands daily in some locations and reached nearly every continent within months.
