September 25, 1957
ASIAN FLU: According to sources in the Health Ministry, the flu epidemic is worsening, following the deaths the day before yesterday of two people and four more yesterday in an Athens hospital. Experts believe that over the next few months the epidemic will become even more serious, since it sometimes triggers pulmonary conditions and other complications, just like in the 1918 outbreak. It is possible that there will be a large number of deaths, even though the flu is a much milder variety than the 1918 illness. At the same time, a new type of flu has made its appearance with symptoms that include severe diarrhea, vomiting, a heavy cold and intense headaches. The Welfare Ministry is receiving telegrams from all over the country which confirm that the disease has spread everywhere and is becoming a pandemic. JOHN OSBORNE: London – Criticism continued to be leveled at the British royal family yesterday. After Lord Altrincham accused the queen of being elitist, it was the turn of young dramatist John Osborne to describe the royal family as «a ridiculous anachronism» and «the gold filling in a mouthful of decay.»
