Four Flu Pandemics: Lessons that Need to Be Learned. Issue 4 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pineo, Ronn
• Other Names: Pineo Ronn guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of developing societies. Volume 37:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 398
• Page End: 448
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Influenza -- pandemic -- vaccines -- "Russian" flu -- 1918 flu; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- History -- Periodicals; 909.09724
• DOI: 10.1177/0169796X211047221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-796X

Abstract

This article explores the history of influenza, focusing on the four major flu pandemics in the last century and a half, outbreaks starting in 1889, 1918, 1957, and 1968. The article looks closely at flu etiology and the historical puzzles over which flu subtype was responsible for each major outbreak. Some mysteries regarding pandemic influenza remain, with core questions stubbornly refusing to yield answers. This article seeks to explore the history of flu in the hope that we can take away some lessons learned as we try to get ready for potential future flu pandemics.