The Inconspicuous Epidemic: Spanish Flu Discourse in National Newspapers of Soviet Russia (1918-1919)

This research investigates the discourse of the so-called 'Spanish flu' in the national Soviet newspapers Pravda (Truth) and Izvestia (News) during the epidemic period of 1918-1919. Our analysis revealed that discourse developed in three stages, each with specific characteristics. The nature of discourse was, above all, impacted by ideological factors, while reporters and Bolshevik authorities promoting this type of discourse were primarily guided by political expediency. Lack of adequate and comprehensive information on the disease, its etiology, and its spread not only around the world but also in Soviet Russia, administrative and bureaucratic problems, and simultaneous epidemics of other infectious diseases (cholera and typhus) were also significant factors.