Historical Implications of H1N1
While it isn’t the first time that a flu, such as the swine influenza, also known as H1N1, has made major headlines around the world, the recent breakout in Mexico has caused almost every nation to take precautions. There have been three major times in the past hundred years when a type of influenza has caused people to panic and fear on a grand scale. The H1N1 has once again caused the CDC (centers for disease control and prevention) to gain more knowledge, study research and take a more active part in understanding these genetic mechanisms.
The original outbreak that caused a great deal of fear and sickness occurred in 1918. It was the Spanish flu; an influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1. This outbreak lasted for just two years throughout World War 1; but it produced around 50 million deaths throughout that brief period of time. This is a significant figure, and was actually equated with approximately 3% of the earth’s population back then. To set this number in perspective, there were roughly 15 million deaths credited to the First World War, which went on for four years.
The subsequent outbreak was in fact less serious with regard to spread and individuals affected, however the response to that flu is what makes it stick out in our history. In 1976, folks living at Fort Dix contracted flu symptoms, and so much concern of a repeat of what had took place in 1918 incited the US government to create a vaccine for the entire nation to protect public health. Even though that swine flu didn’t go further than Fort Dix, the vaccine was recommended for everyone in the States. Sadly, many critical adverse reactions and fatalities resulted from the vaccine, leading to more damage than the influenza itself.
These two historical occurrences are often being referred to when discussing the most recent spread of swine influenza. In Mexico, April 2009, many people became ill or died from this flu, and while it seemed like this was a brand new outbreak, reports have since shown that many months before the H1N1 influenza activity was already being experienced by people, yet wasn’t revealed to the world until much later. Many topics of conversation around the world have to do with the swine flu and many people are becoming fearful and panicky. Many have reported that they fear that sickness and death could reach the levels seen in 1918. They are concerned about the government’s approved vaccine, hoping that what happened in 1976 won’t happen again.
It has become clear by looking at the history of influenza over the past one hundred years that the danger of the flu is not something to be ignored. As we can see from what happened at the beginning of the century, a pandemic is a very serious concern. Regardless if a pandemic occurs, the facts show that a high number of people die from the flu each and every year. Protect yourself and your family by taking the necessary precautions to remain physically healthy during the course of this swine influenza.
Everywhere you turn, H1N1 is in the news. Is it really that big a concern? Find out important information at H1N1 Swine Flu Facts.
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