Swine Flu and the Spanish Influenza of 1918

What are the similarities and differences that have concern the public?

The unusual frequency of young persons infected. Influenza usually occurs in the older, weaker population and the very young.

More than half the victims of the Spanish Flu were between 20 and 40 years old. The new Swine Flu is affecting the same part of the population.

Why? In both cases, there was a similar outbreak several years before the much more severe flu.

In 1889, the Russian flu pandemic struck those who, by 1918, were in their 40's to 80's.

The same thing has happened recently. Persons older than twenty years of age may have been exposed to a flu virus similar to the present threat, and are immune.

In 1918, at least 20% of the population of the world was affected. Why? World War I. The infected soldiers were sent out to camp hospitals on public transportation, thereby spreading the flu to local citizens of the countries they were inhabiting.

Today, there is no present world war with local transportation shuttling infected soldiers worldwide. But, we do see the rapid worldwide spread through vacationers and other world travelers.

The Spanish flu generally killed between 2% and 20% of the population, depending on the country affected. The mortality rate of the present Swine flu is much lower. We will know the exact percentage when the epidemic is over. Standard flu viruses kill about 0.1% of their victims.

The time of year that the 1918 virus spread is interesting. It started in March of and increased its potential by August of that year. Our present infection is here in May and will continue throughout the summer months. Flu viruses usually occur during the winter months, when people are more inclined to stay home out of the cold weather. During the first mutation of the disease in 1918, the virus seemed 'normal' with recovery of most of its victims. However, with the August mutation, death claimed an unusual amount of victims. A great fear arises that another new mutation will arise this time, since the virus is now present during warm months and vacationers have yet to finalize their plans for travel.

Where quarantines were imposed, deaths were lower, such as American Samoa, which was not affected by the disease. Today, panic and concern has forced the shutting of public building, such as schools.

It was suspected that the virus of 1918 started among farm animals, particularly swine and poultry which were bred for food in Kansas, USA. This meat was fed to American soldiers that were sent to war in Europe and elsewhere. Today's flu also started in the farm community among domestic animals. (No, the Spanish flu did not start in Spain. Spain's media covered the event so thoroughly that it was nicknamed for the country.)

Sources:
Accumulated Television News Articles, various
Wikipedia, "Spanish Flu", www.wikipedia.com