3 pandemics prior to covid 19
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THE SPANISH FLU (1918)
The 1918 Spanish flu or influenza pandemic is often described as one of the worst pandemics in human history.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 1918 flu was “caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin”. An estimated one-third of the world’s population was infected by the virus. The disease claimed an estimated 5 crore lives, with a significant number of deaths reported in the US.
In a pre-WHO era, when vaccinations were rare, the virus outbreak was aided by factors like crowded conditions and mobilization of troops during World War I.
THE ASIAN FLU (1957-58)
Nearly four decades later, a milder pandemic spread in 1957-58, which was caused by an A(H2N2) virus. The first few cases were reported in Singapore and Hong Kong.
In the next few months, the Asian flu had spread to the US and England. According to WHO, the flu claimed an estimated 10-40 lakh lives.
THE HONG KONG FLU (1968)
Yet another milder pandemic struck the world in 1968. Known as the Hong Kong flu—the first case was reported in the city—it spread to countries like Vietnam, India and the Philippines.
The pandemic was caused by an influenza A(H3N2) virus. The Hong Kong flu entered the US, with troops returning home from the war in Vietnam. According to the CDC, nearly 1 lakh people died of the flu in the US while the global toll stood at 10 lakh.