Introduction:

At the end of the second decade of the 20th century, between the years 1918 and 1919, there was a global outbreak of influenza known as "Spanish flu". In Cuba, it caused a high morbidity and mortality, which led to a great concern in the population and the health authorities of the country.

Objective:

To characterize the 1918-1919´s influenza epidemic in Cuba by analysing the documents preserved on its evolution and preventive measures.

Methods:

A qualitative research was carried out by performing a documentary analysis as a procedure for the implementation of the historical-logical theoretical method. There were reviewed statistics, articles, guidelines and plans of confrontation to the epidemic, and also reports on its control issued by the Health´s Directorate.

Results:

The epidemic was intense until early 1919; then it had some outbreaks with a relative frequency, but in a most benign form, until 1920. The morbidity data have records from 1942, with higher figures in 1957 (rate of 1419,86 x 105 inhabitants); 1951 (6.92 x 105 inhabitants); 1947 (5.88 x 105 inhabitants). The higher mortality rate corresponded to the years 1918-1920 (193.92 x 105 inhabitants; 50.11 and 47.46, respectively).

Conclusions:

The 1918´s Influenza Epidemic caused in Cuba a high morbidity and mortality. Adequate contingency plans were developed to halt it, according to its nature and the development of scientific knowledge at the time.

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