Three Scary Killer Flu Pandemics That Raged Fiercely Over the World
We’ve heard of the recent outbreak of Swine flu in Mexico. In 1918, a global flu pandemic, the Spanish flu, took millions of innocent lives worldwide. The existence of these three most deadly human plagues undoubtedly were an unforgettable nightmare.
Pandemic flu is a deadly and contagious flu strain. The flu pandemic usually emerges every few decades, and none of us can even predict its outbreak and how bad it could be. Medical professionals, researchers as well as the scientists are issuing their concerns and alarms. The flu pandemic is a new flu virus which is coming on its way. It’s inevitable. It may strike human tomorrow, next year or many years from now. No one could tell you exactly WHEN it’s coming.
Pandemic flu is not similar to seasonal flu as it could potentially kill many lives and may even make many feeling very sick worldwide. In the worst-case scenario, many lives have been taken, hospitalized and some may have been treated as outpatients.
The flu viruses undergo a big change every few decades via a process called antigenic drift which results in a completely new flu strain. The predominant strain called A (H3N2) Fujian is slightly different from the A (H3N2) Panama that emerged in 2000-2001. Since there’re over hundreds of possible strains of flu virus, and thus getting the flu once doesn’t guarantee you from not getting it again. This is because the human immune system has no pre-existing immunity towards a newly created flu strain. Due to this reason, the virus can make people who are contacted with pandemic influenza feeling sick or may experience more serious disease.
When influenza viruses from different species infect poultry, two (or more) influenza viruses can undergo “genetic reassortment” (a process in which influenza viruses exchange genes during replication) to emerge as a new virus that is a mixture of two or more species of influenza viruses. These viruses were the basis for the outbreak of the human flu pandemics in 1957 (the “Asian” flu which caused about 2 million deaths) and 1968 (the “Hong Kong” flu which caused about 1 million deaths), which were a result of reassortment viruses with genes from both avian and human influenza viruses. These pandemic viruses were responsible for tens of thousands of human deaths and million cases of human illnesses.
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Evelyn Moore | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Very informative – thanks
Anne McNew | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
that was a very informative article Chan. thanks for sharing
BC Doan | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
These are terrible diseases, and the Swine one is really scary! Buzz up!!!
Jenny Heart | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Very well written. All people need to be thankful how far medicine has come.
Kate Smedley | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article and very timely. There’s been something in the news in the last two days about a potential new strain of flu … thanks for this Chan.
Lex92 | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
that’s scary!
Christine Ramsay | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
A very informative article. I just hope that the latest swine flu does not rival the ones you have mentioned. Good work.
Christine
Katalina Bahamón | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
good and informative article!! congratulations!!!
and thanks !!
Glynis Smy | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article!
PR Mace | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Informative and interesting read.
Alicia Wind | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Very useful article and everyone should be aware of this …! The information are reliable and interesting.
Likha | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Wow, you are truly an expert on these things.
nobert soloria bermosa | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
thanks Chan for the informative and interesting health articles you continue to share.. we’re learning a lot
Ruby Hawk | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
An exceptional article, lets hope enough is known to be able stop this latest one. It sounds grim.
Eunice Tan | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
It’s really terrible that we have to face these virus attack. Thank you Chan, your article surely empower us to fight the virus better.
Melody SJAL | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
The present swine flu virus in Mexico has killed almost a hundred people already…dreadful. Thanks for this very well-researched and informative article, Chan.
Dr Shalini Kapoor Kad | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
As usual very well presented work:)
Judy Sheldon | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
Thanks, Chan for your comprehensive and informative article about these life threatening diseases.
Jo Oliver | Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
Great job
scary stuff
monica55 | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
A well researched, comprehensive and informative piece of writing. We hope this pandemic does not do the same harm as its predecessor. Thanks for sharing this.
Monica.
compostela | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
very well my friend.
shashawanahya | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for this article. This is serious and very scary. That deadly flu epidemic seems to have came back with a new name.
CA Johnson | May 1, 2009 | Reply
Thanks again for the great information, Chan. The flus are really bad. I’m growing very concerned about these flus.
valli | May 2, 2009 | Reply
Great and informative article.
CutestPrincess | May 13, 2009 | Reply
this is a wonderful article! It’s well written and informative, and I love the choice of pictures.
swatilohani | May 19, 2009 | Reply
as always beyond excellence