Exterminate the Fly!
Public-health sheet: a large fly with a red arrow runs from a barn, garbage can, privy and pig trough toward a sick child, a set dinner table, a bed and a joint of meat, over a block of text naming typhoid fever, dysentery and diarrhea. The tell is the fear-appeal of the disease route; the text lists only fly-control measures.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1941
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- United States Public Health Service
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Themes
- Health, Home front
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
United States Public Health Service. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-746 (NAID 514233).
Text on the object
EXTERMINATE THE FLY! Many people are affected every year by diseases transmitted by flies—among these are Typhoid Fever—Dysentery—Diarrhea Flies breed and live in filth. In feeding they move from this filth to the kitchen or dining table and transmit disease through germs carried on their hairy bodies and legs. Swatting, trapping, and poisoning flies will help, but to eliminate these pests breeding must be prevented. Keep stables clean; remove manure at least once a week. Put garbage in receptacles with close-fitting covers; empty and wash out frequently. Lacking sewers, build only flyproof sanitary privies. Screen adequately all homes, markets, bakeries, and other food establishments. Every year begin the campaign against flies before the first one is seen—in March or April. A pair of flies born in April may give origin to millions by August. Keep the first from breeding. NO FILTH : NO FLIES : LESS DISEASE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE [imprint: U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—11948]
