A matter of life and death: Diphtheria outbreak in Little Red River, Alberta

In the middle of winter 1929, a serious diphtheria epidemic broke out in the small colony of Little Red River, Alberta (about 800 km north of Edmonton), threatening the health of the entire settlement. A Hudson's Bay Company official had already died from the disease, and several others were sick. 

Today, people are vaccinated against diphtheria as babies but in 1929 it was a considerable threat, causing sickness and possibly death. By the time of this incident a cure existed for diphtheria, but the bad news was that Little Red River was 80 km away from the nearest doctor, in Fort Vermilion, and his supply of antitoxin was old and insufficient to contain an epidemic. Two men journeyed 480 km—travelling by dogsled over frozen, snowy ground for almost two weeks—to reach the nearest telegraph station at Peace River, where they could send an SOS message to Edmonton. The telegram came in to Edmonton on New Year’s Day: DIPHTHERIA. FEAR EPIDEMIC. SEND ANTITOXIN. There was not much time left to contain the epidemic.

Ministry of Health officials in Edmonton acted immediately, quickly preparing enough diphtheria antitoxin to treat 200 cases. But getting the medicine to Little Red River was a challenge given winter conditions. The fastest option was to fly. Such a dangerous journey called for a skilled pilot: someone willing to risk his or her own health and safety.