History of Wu Lien-teh in Timeline

Wu Lien-teh was a Malayan physician who made significant contributions to public health. He is best known for his work during the Manchurian plague of 1910-1911, where he implemented measures to control the epidemic. Wu is also credited with inventing the Wu mask, a precursor to the modern N95 respirator, which played a crucial role in preventing the spread of the plague. His efforts were instrumental in containing the outbreak and demonstrated the importance of public health interventions in managing infectious diseases.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1901: Wong Nai Siong Moved

From 1901 to 1906, Wong Nai Siong moved to the area.

September 1903: Joined the Institute for Medical Research

In September 1903, Wu joined the Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur as the first research student.

1903: Returned to the Straits Settlements

In 1903, Wu Lien-teh returned to the Straits Settlements.

1904: Entered Private Practice

Towards the end of 1904, Wu entered private practice in Chulia Street, George Town, Penang.

1906: Wong Nai Siong Moved

From 1901 to 1906, Wong Nai Siong moved to the area.

1906: Organized Anti-Opium Conference

In the spring of 1906, Wu organized a nationwide anti-opium conference attended by approximately 3000 people, attracting attention from those involved in the opium trade.

1907: Move to China

In 1907, Wu and his family moved to China.

1907: Convicted and Fined

In 1907, Wu's dispensary was searched, and he was convicted and fined for possessing one ounce of tincture of opium.

1908: Vice Director of the Imperial Army Medical College

In 1908, Dr. Wu accepted the offer to become the Vice Director of the Imperial Army Medical College in Tianjin.

1910: Manchurian plague of 1910–11

In 1910, Wu Lien-teh was noted for his work in public health, particularly regarding the Manchurian plague of 1910–11.

1910: Investigate Unknown Disease

In the winter of 1910, Wu was instructed to travel to Harbin to investigate an unknown disease, marking the beginning of the pneumonic plague epidemic.

April 1911: Chaired International Plague Conference

In April 1911, Wu chaired the International Plague Conference in Mukden (Shenyang), attended by scientists from various countries.

August 1911: Presented Plague Research Paper

In August 1911, Wu presented a plague research paper at the International Congress of Medicine in London, published in The Lancet.

1912: Director of the Manchurian Plague Service

In 1912, Wu became the first director of the Manchurian Plague Service.

1916: President of the Chinese Medical Association

From 1916–1920, Wu was a founder member and first president of the Chinese Medical Association.

1920: President of the Chinese Medical Association

From 1916–1920, Wu was a founder member and first president of the Chinese Medical Association.

1920: Combating Cholera Pandemic

In 1920, Wu led the efforts to combat the 1920-21 cholera pandemic in the north-east of China.

1929: Appointed Trustee of 'Nanyang Club'

In 1929, Wu was appointed a trustee of the 'Nanyang Club' in Penang.

November 1931: Detained by Japanese Authorities

In November 1931, during the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, Wu was detained and interrogated by the Japanese authorities on suspicion of being a Chinese spy.

1935: Nomination for Nobel Prize

In 1935, Wu Lien-teh became the first Malayan nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

1937: Forced to Flee

In 1937, during the Japanese occupation, Wu was forced to flee, returning to the Settlements, and his home and books were burnt.

1939: Moved back to Malaya

Around 1939, Wu moved back to Malaya and continued to work as a general practitioner in Ipoh.

1943: Captured by Resistance Fighters

In 1943, Wu was captured by Malayan left-wing resistance fighters and held for ransom, and nearly prosecuted by the Japanese, but was protected by having treated a Japanese officer.

January 1960: Wu Lien-teh Death

In January 1960, Wu Lien-teh died of a stroke at the age of 80 in his home in Penang, after completing his autobiography, Plague Fighter.

January 1960: Death of Wu Lien-teh

On 21 January 1960, Wu died of a stroke in his home in Penang, after completing his autobiography.

1995: Publication of Biography

In 1995, Wu's daughter, Dr. Yu-lin Wu, published a book about her father.

2015: Wu Lien-Teh Institute Opened

In 2015, the Wu Lien-Teh Institute opened at Harbin Medical University.

2019: Lancet Prize in Honour

In 2019, The Lancet launched an annual Wakley-Wu Lien Teh Prize in honour of Wu.

May 2020: Video Conference Meeting

In May 2020, Dr. Yvonne Ho united the 22 known "medical and scientific descendants" of Dr. Wu Lien-Teh for a video conference meeting spanning 14 cities around the world.

July 2020: Article to Memorialize Dr. Wu

In July 2020, some of these medical and scientific descendants collaborated to publish an article to memorialize Dr. Wu's lifetime work in public health.