The Spanish Flu
The Spanish Flu was a world wide epidemic that took the lives of an estimated 50 to 100 million lives between 1918 and 1920. It has been recorded as the most devastating outbreak in world history. The disease first appeared in Fort Riley Kansas on March 11, 1918 when an Army private reported to the camp hospital with complaints of a fever, sore throat and headache. By noon that day the hospital had treated over 100 sick soldiers with similar symptoms and 500 more by the end of that week. Initially the strain of the virus seemed no different than those of previous years but it quickly became apparent to health officials that this strain was unusual when it began to attack many young adults and healthy individuals. Additionally this influenza outbreak struck hardest in the summer and fall months as opposed to traditional influenza virus' striking in the winter months. As the virus traveled to the eastern states, public health officials in Philadelphia issued a public bulletin, warning citizens about the disease in July of 1918. .
It is speculated that the virus was so easily spread world wide due the conditions of World War I. Researchers believe that the close quarters the soldiers lived in combined with their weakened immune systems made them more susceptible to the disease. Furthermore the disease was spread by the soldiers and sailors travel during wartime. The pandemic was coined "The Spanish Flu" because it received greater press attention in Spain because they were not part of the war and had not imposed wartime censorship. Since the United States played an active role in WWI the government wanted the citizens to focus on the war and initially did not warn them of the deadly virus. .
"Patterns of Fatality"
This specific influenza virus targeted mostly young healthy individuals and as previously stated struck in the summer and fall months. What was puzzling about this strain of the flu is that people who did exhibit any signs could suddenly develop
It is speculated that the virus was so easily spread world wide due the conditions of World War I. Researchers believe that the close quarters the soldiers lived in combined with their weakened immune systems made them more susceptible to the disease. Furthermore the disease was spread by the soldiers and sailors travel during wartime. The pandemic was coined "The Spanish Flu" because it received greater press attention in Spain because they were not part of the war and had not imposed wartime censorship. Since the United States played an active role in WWI the government wanted the citizens to focus on the war and initially did not warn them of the deadly virus. .
"Patterns of Fatality"
This specific influenza virus targeted mostly young healthy individuals and as previously stated struck in the summer and fall months. What was puzzling about this strain of the flu is that people who did exhibit any signs could suddenly develop
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