Influenza Pandemics during the 20th Century
During the 20th century, the emergence of several new influenza A virus subtypes caused three pandemics, all three of the flu viruses spread around the world within a year of being detected, they were the Spanish Flu, Asian Flu and Hong Kong Flu.
The first outbreak occurred during 1918-1919. This was known as “Spanish flu” or A (H1N1). Spanish Flu caused the highest number of known influenza deaths. As a result of Spanish Flu More than 500,000 people died in the United States, and up to 50 million people may have died worldwide. Many people died within the first few days after infection, and others died of secondary complications. Nearly half of those who died from Spanish Flu were young, healthy adults. Influenza A (H1N1) viruses still circulate today after being introduced again into the human population in 1977.
The second occurred from 1957-1958 and was known as [A (H2N2)] or “Asian flu”. Asian Flu caused about 70,000 deaths in the United States. Asian Flu was first identified in China in late February 1957, Asian flu spread to the United States by June 1957.
During 1968-1969 [A (H3N2)] also known as ” Hong Kong flu” caused about 34,000 deaths in the United States. The Hong Kong flu virus was first detected in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the United States later that year. Hong Kong flu or Influenza A (H3N2) viruses still circulate today.
Both the 1957-58 and 1968-69 pandemics were caused by viruses containing a combination of genes from a human influenza virus and an avian flu virus. The 1918-19 pandemic virus appears to have an avian origin.
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