The Spanish Flu of 1918 was the most severe pandemic of the 20th century, infecting an estimated one-third of the world’s population and killing an estimated 50-100 million people. In the century since, scientific advances have allowed us to learn more about the virus and its origins. While the full mysteries of the Spanish Flu remain unsolved, scientists have done extensive research, both on the search for the virus itself and on its implications for public health.
In this article, we’ll discuss the history and background of the Spanish Flu, the effort and research put into finding its origins, and the public health implications and lessons learned from this deadly virus.
An Overview of the Spanish Flu
The Spanish Flu first became a global pandemic in 1918, although infected cases began to appear in Europe and the United States in late 1917. It was so named because press coverage of the pandemic in Spain was particularly dramatic, even though other countries were reporting far more serious cases and deaths. The virus spread rapidly throughout the world, with a second wave of infections occurring in 1919. While cases tapered off in Europe, the virus spread to other continents, and an estimated one-third of the world’s population was infected. By the time the outbreak subsided in 1920, anywhere from 50-100 million people had died.
Efforts to Find the Virus
The search for Spanish Flu’s virus has been ongoing since its pandemic. The virus itself was not isolated until 1933 by US Public Health Service researcher Richard Shope. It was identified as an Influenza type A virus, and described as an avian-borne virus that passed through pigs and onto humans, likely originating from China.
In the 1980s, the study of Spanish Flu’s virus took a major step forward with the discovery of the virus’s gene sequence by researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This discovery allowed for the development of improved flu vaccines and treatments, and for the construction of models of genetic mutations and the transmission of viruses.
More recently, in 2005, researchers announced the discovery of the Spanish Flu virus’s structure. Using genetic sequencing, researchers in Australia were able to uncover the virus’s distinctive two-part structure, which explains how it can achieve a high level of transmissibility.
Public Health Implications
The Spanish Flu is widely regarded as a major turning point in public health, as it highlighted the need to better detect and respond to new and emerging infectious diseases. In the aftermath of the pandemic, several organizations were created to better monitor and control the spread of infectious diseases, including the World Health Organization, the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since the Spanish Flu, there have been several other major pandemics. In 1957, the Asian flu pandemic caused approximately two million deaths worldwide, and in 1968, the Hong Kong flu led to an estimated one million deaths. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, and caused an estimated 1.9 million deaths by 2021. Each pandemic has presented unique challenges and opportunities to the public health community, but lessons learned from the Spanish Flu have proven invaluable in responding to and controlling the spread of pandemics.
Vaccines and Treatments
Research into the Spanish Flu has enabled scientists to develop better flu vaccines and treatments. Vaccines are designed to trigger the immune system to recognize and respond to infection, providing immunity or a reduced severity of infection. Currently, flu vaccines are recommended for everyone over the age of six months and are available in a variety of delivery formats, including intramuscular injections, intranasal mists, and a patch.
In addition to vaccines, there are many antiviral medications available to treat flu symptoms. These medications can also help make the illness less severe and reduce the risk of hospitalization. Treatment should begin within 48 hours of symptom onset, and is recommended for those at high risk of serious illness or those who are severely ill.
Prevention
Many of the steps taken to prevent the spread of the Spanish Flu remain relevant today. These include:
- Washing hands regularly with soap and water
- Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
- Staying home if you’re sick
In addition to these broad prevention measures, individuals should get a flu vaccine every year to help protect themselves from illness.
The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1920 remains one of the worst global disasters of the 20th century. In the past hundred years, scientists have made immense advances in the understanding and treatment of the virus, resulting in improved vaccines and treatments that have greatly reduced the spread and severity of the virus. Despite this progress, the full history of the virus and the search for its origin remain unsolved. From the Spanish Flu, we have learned many valuable lessons about the need for public health preparedness and the importance of proper prevention measures. Through continued scientific research, we can continue to prevent and control new and emerging diseases, and ultimately help protect the health of our communities.
