On Oct. 4, 1918, several dozen cases of influenza were reported to the Birmingham department of health. A few days later, however, after reports indicated up to 500 cases of influenza and several deaths, Health Officer Dr. J. D. Dowling could no longer dismiss the seriousness of the growing problem. 

Although he still did not believe that all these cases were actually instances of influenza, he at least issued a long statement to the public on the dangers of disease and methods of controlling its transmission.

The Birmingham Board of Health decided it could no longer afford to wait. On October 7 it recommended that all places of public assembly be closed. The Boards of Education of Birmingham and Jefferson County responded by immediately closing schools for the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the Board of Health prepared a general closure order.