The Recent History of Pandemics
The world experienced three pandemics during
the 20th century. In 1918-1919, the Spanish Flu
virus (A/H1N1) that originated in the U.S. or Europe
killed 20 to 40 million people worldwide, including
250,000 in England and 640,000 in the United
States, proving itself deadly to many young,
healthy adults. In 1957-1958 the Asian Flu
(A/H2N2), originating in China, killed 1 million
people worldwide, including 70,000 infants and
elderly in the United States, and 33,000 people in
England. The Hong Kong Flu (A/H3N2), in
1968-1969, killed 2-3 million people globally, 34,000
infants and elderly in the United States and 30,000
people in England and Wales. It is believed that
the 1957 and 1968 pandemic viruses were
reassorted from avian influenza viruses circulating
at the time.
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The world experienced three pandemics during
the 20th century. In 1918-1919, the Spanish Flu
virus (A/H1N1) that originated in the U.S. or Europe
killed 20 to 40 million people worldwide, including
250,000 in England and 640,000 in the United
States, proving itself deadly to many young,
healthy adults. In 1957-1958 the Asian Flu
(A/H2N2), originating in China, killed 1 million
people worldwide, including 70,000 infants and
elderly in the United States, and 33,000 people in
England. The Hong Kong Flu (A/H3N2), in
1968-1969, killed 2-3 million people globally, 34,000
infants and elderly in the United States and 30,000
people in England and Wales. It is believed that
the 1957 and 1968 pandemic viruses were
reassorted from avian influenza viruses circulating
at the time.
Close window and return to last page
