Spanish Flu By Eugenio Massari Background ● ● ● The most severe pandemic in recent history. H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. It was named Spanish flu because Spain was neutral in World War I and it could report on the severity of the pandemic. The Outbreak ● ● ● ● The flu originated in 1918. There have been many researches on the virus but the origins are still unknown. At least 50 million people died worldwide, with around 675,000 of them in the United States. It occurred in three waves ○ The second and third waves claimed the most lives. The Effects of the Outbreak ● ● ● The Board of Health of New York City adds flu to the list of reportable diseases, and all flu cases must be isolated at home or in a city hospital. SF The Board of Health mandates that anyone serving the public wear masks, and strongly advises all citizens to do so in public. Public health officials launch public education and awareness campaigns on the dangers of coughing and sneezing, as well as the improper disposal of "nasal discharges." The Effects of the Outbreak pt. 2 ● ● The Flu reduced real per capita GDP by 6 percent and private consumption by 8 percent Because of the drop in economic activity and rising inflation, actual returns on stocks and short-term government bonds plummeted. Conclusion ● Against the Spanish flu, there were no national prevention strategies in place. Some communities did implement prevention measures that are likely to be familiar to us today. Among the measures were: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Isolation, or avoiding large groups of people. This included the closure of schools. Handwashing thoroughly and frequently. Using safety equipment such as masks and gloves. Outside goods were not to be touched. Not spitting in public. References ● ● ● ● ● https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/1918-pan demic-history.htm https://www.biospace.com/article/the-united-states-grisly-milestone-more-covi d-19-deaths-than-1918-spanish-flu/#:~:text=More%20than%2050%20million %20people,is%20calculated%20at%20about%202%25. https://www.britannica.com/story/how-long-did-the-flu-pandemic-of-1918-last https://www.nber.org/digest/may20/social-and-economic-impacts-1918-influen za-epidemic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21777-spanish-flu#:~:text=What %20were%20the%20complications%20of,day%20that%20they%20became% 20ill.
