Epidemic – Bubonic Plague, Australia-Wide 1900-1925

Between 1900 and 1925, there were 12 major plague outbreaks in 27 localities of Australia introduced by infected rats from overseas ships. According to Government health archives, there were 1371 reported cases of plague and 535 deaths. Sydney was most affected, but the disease also spread to Queensland with occasional cases found in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Kalgoorlie and Fremantle.