 To deal with the Spanish flu, In October 1918 Riggs ordered doctors to meet arriving steamships upon arrival to inspect for signs of the virus and that transport firms refuse passage to the territory by anyone who was ill.The precautions were unsuccessful with the first case reaching Juneau on October 14 and widespread outbreaks being present a month later.In response to the flu's arrival, Riggs established a "cordon sanitaire" on all trails to the interior, but unfortunately the couriers carrying announcements of the quarantine may have also spread the disease.