Bubonicplague(1900–1906)

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In early 1900, the confirmation of the first case of bubonic plague in Rio de Janeiro triggered disease containment measures similar to the actions carried out during previous epidemics. The operations involved disinfecting homes and isolating those who were sick or suspected of being contaminated by the Pasteurellapestis bacterium, transmitted by the rat flea. Ships arriving at the ports of the Republic's capital were subjected to quarantine, despite the negative economic consequences. Even so, starting in April, new cases were diagnosed and the disease continued to spread throughout the city.

The anti-plague serum and vaccine were imported from Europe, so, in order to speed up production and the possibility of expanding its application, the Federal Serum-Therapy Institute was created. Its laboratory was built at the Fazenda de Manguinhos, which belonged to the city government and was located in the city's north side. Part of the Institute's technical team was the public health physician Oswaldo Cruz.

Image description: This is a black-and-white illustration, likely an engraving or caricature, depicting a man in a scene of panic. On the left side, we see a man with a beard and mustache, wearing a classic suit, running with his hands raised. He is surrounded by rats and mosquitoes. Beside him are two human skeletons, one of them bearing the inscription "A Loura Jacobina" and "A Amarela" on its back. The skeletons are in a dancing pose, with a cat slung over the shoulder of the second skeleton. In the lower right portion of the image, there is text reading: "Praga do Povo". Below the text, there is a further paragraph explaining the main character's situation.

With the election of Rodrigues Alves in 1902, the attention of the public authorities at that moment turned to the plan to modernize the capital. The project called for urban reform and the eradication of the yellow fever and smallpox epidemics that plagued Rio de Janeiro – which would soon be joined by bubonic plague. The plague, linked in the popular imagination to medieval afflictions, needed to be controlled, which forced the government to redirect resources toward public health and research. Oswaldo Cruz, in addition to working as a researcher at the newly created Instituto Soroterápico, took charge of the Diretoria Geral de Saúde Pública in 1903. His dual public role allowed him to align efforts on both fronts of the fight against the epidemics: on one hand, research and production of prophylactic serum, and on the other, the development of sanitary and hygiene campaigns for the city, with direct action against disease-carrying agents and inspection of outbreak areas.

Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 06/1904. Collection: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph. On the left side, we see a building with a sloped roof and windows. In front of it stands a large tree with green leaves. On the right side, there is another similar building with side balconies. People are walking through the central area, near a wooden fence. Behind them, there is a horse figure. In the bottom right corner, it reads "FIOCRUZ Oswald" and "Casa de Oswaldo," followed by a date that appears to be "1906."

Compared with the campaigns against yellow fever and smallpox, the initiative against bubonic plague was better received by the population, with serotherapy proving more effective in treatment than vaccination of people. Moreover, at the height of the epidemic, in 1903, a measure was taken that mobilized the city. The government began paying people who brought in dead rats to public agencies. Hunting rats, the disease's main carriers, seemed like a good deal. Besides the collection of the animals in the streets, rat-breeding operations set up to supply carcasses for incineration became well known at the time. In mid-1904, suspicion of this deceitful practice led to the rat trade being briefly suspended. However, the consensus around the effectiveness of eliminating the animals soon led the government to resume the practice.

"The rat buyer" - photo detail - Revista da Semana, 08.11.1904. National Library Digital Newspaper Archive

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a person holding a bell-shaped object. The person is standing, wearing a coat and trousers. The background appears to be a brick wall. At the bottom of the image, there is a caption that reads "O comprador de ratos" (The rat buyer).

Along with disinfection, isolation, and serum treatment measures, the rat hunt ended up proving effective. As more rats were caught, the number of deaths decreased. The epidemic lost strength over the years, and in 1906, bubonic plague was eradicated.

Cartoon - Jornal do Brasil, 08.11.1904. National Library Digital Newspaper Archive

Image description: This is a black-and-white cartoon, dated August 11, 1904, published in Jornal do Brasil. The image shows two men in an urban setting. The man on the left, wearing a chef's hat, is holding a dead rat. The man on the right, wearing a fedora, is pointing at the rat. Both are standing on a street with buildings in the background. The cartoon's title, "A Authenticidade dos Ratos," is written at the top of the image.