The Spanish Flu of 1918

In 1918 a pandemic form of flu swept the world killing up to 100 million people more than died in World War 1. It probably started in the United States unlike more recent strains which have emerged from the Far East. First reported in Spanish newspapers, hence the name, the 1918 flu is believed to have mutated from a bird flu to allow it to spread from human to human. Scientists worry that the current strain of H5N1 Bird Flu sweeping much of the globe, could similarly mutate with results like that seen in 1918.

Bad things:-

Spanish flu had a mortality rate of 2.5 percent among those infected, compared to less than 0.1 percent in other influenza epidemics and still managed to kill millions. Mortality rate has been running at over 50% for those infect with the latest strain of H5N1, but that may reduce as the virus evolves.

Good Things:-

Back in 1918 there was no hope of a vaccine, medical science just hadn't progressed that far, today, a vaccine will be ready within months of the virus becoming pandemic. Most people die not of the flul, but of secondary conditions like pneumonia. This is treatable with antibiotics, again something that hadn't been invented in 1918. There is no certainty that the current form of bird flu will mutate into a human to human version.