The Impact Of The 1918 Influenza Epidemic On The U.S. Army

The 1918 influenza epidemic was an extremely serious epidemic in the history of the world.The influenza began in the spring of 1918 and disappeared in mid-1919.It was widespread,fast-onset,and deadly,resulting in the death of approximately 50 million people worldwide and triggering a worldwide crisis.In the early stages of the epidemic,the U.S.army became the hardest hit by the spread of the virus because it overestimated its own medical capabilities and did not pay attention to the spread of the virus.As the influenza intensified,the U.S.army had to be diverted from the war effort to deal with the influenza.The U.S.army attempted to achieve disease prevention and control through isolation and quarantine policies,and worked to treat patients.However,the constant military mobilization rendered isolation and quarantine null and void.This,coupled with chaotic logistics and a shortage of medical resources in the military,resulted in the U.S.army not only failing to restore combat capability,but also accelerating the spread of the epidemic among the military.The U.S.army was severely affected by the 1918 influenza epidemic because of the difficulty of balancing epidemic control with military activities.The increasing number of deaths from the influenza led to massive noncombat attrition in the U.S.Army.Large numbers of front-line personnel contracted the virus,resulting in a reduction in the military’s ability to fight.Increasing military stress and the continued spread of the epidemic led to a blow to army morale.At the same time,the influenza put a tremendous strain on U.S.army logistics,making it difficult to replenish front-line troops with viable forces.The medical system was overloaded,and a large number of patients were stranded in rear hospitals,making it difficult to support the front lines.Troop transportation was also affected by the influenza and could not be carried out normally.In addition,conflicts within the U.S.army over epidemic prevention policies have erupted,further weakening the U.S.army’s ability to fight.