U.S. Army influenza ward, 1918 (Coutesy of National Museum of Health and Medicine) No one really knows where it came from, but before it was done, it had taken the lives of up to 100 million people. We're speaking not of some movie monster, but of the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. Ninety-one years ago, a soldier at Fort Riley, Kansas, complained of flu symptoms. Within hours, 100 more soldiers were ill. By the end of the week, the number had jumped to 500. Thanks to new means of easy travel in the early 20th century, the virus spread quickly to Europe. Wartime censorship kept the worst news of the disease from the public until it hit Spain -- but when it did, the gusher of news burst, giving the flu its misleading name. The 1918 flu was unlike any other, in that it spread directly from birds to humans, and struck hardest in the population that would seem to have had the greatest immunity: young, healthy adults. At its peak, the virus killed hundreds a day. Physicians were helpless to stop it: antiviral drugs were decades away, and the only real "cure" was to quarantine the victims -- not an easy task when 500 million people worldwide were infected -- and hope for the best. Could it happen again? No one knows. Recent outbreaks of bird and swine flu have raised fears that another pandemic could be just around the corner, but so far, the world has escaped a return engagement. But just in case you felt safe, scientists have been able to recreate the flu virus -- and it's as potent as ever. If you feel a little achy tonight, it's probably nothing -- but you never know.... Suggested Sites... Flu Epidemic of 1918 - illustrated guide to the greatest pandemic in human history. Popular Mechanics: Spanish Flu Epidemic: 1918 - information on the outbreak and how to prepare for other emergencies. Nova: 1918 Flu - watch a segment on the recreation of the world's deadliest virus. American Experience: Influenza 1918 - timelines, photos, maps, and documents. Wikipedia: Spanish Flu - overview of the disease's onset, effects, and aftermath.

Directory categories: 1918 Influenza Epidemic, Influenza, Avian Influenza, Infectious Diseases, Flu Vaccination

Archived under: 1910s, Death, Disasters, Disease, Epidemics, Flu, Health, History, Medicine, Science

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