Influenza

During 1968-1969, the human race experienced it's third influenza pandemic of the 20th century, the Hong Kong flu. Considered to be a much more milder than its predecessor, the Asian Flu (1957-58), the virus responsible, Influenza Type A subtype H3N2 was brand new and had evolved from the Asian strain H2N2 as a result of an antigenic shift. Due to this, majority of the human population had accumulated antibodies meaning they were immune therefore resulting in fewer casualties. A considerable 0.5-1 million people still succumbed to the disease which wasn't helped by the fact authorities in under-developed areas had made little improvements in handling outbreaks, even after 1957.

 

First originating in China in July 1968, the area in which it was recorded had an average of 500 people per acre, providing an easy way to spread the highly contagious virus. The disease soon reached Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong where within two weeks  500,000 people were infected. Vietnamese War troops carried the virus back into California and by 1969 India, The Philippines, Northern Australia, Europe, Japan, Africa, and South America had all reported cases. Symptoms lasted an average of 4-5 days, could infect birds and mammals and had a mortality rate of 0.1%. The elderly were again vulnerable, recording the highest death rate as the disease spread world wide but its effects were limited due to advances and improvements in medical care, the availability of antibiotics and the timing - just as it was picking up winter holidays began meaning the close contact environments experienced at school and work were not in operation. After 6 months the virus disappeared just as rapidly as it had arrived in and only reappeared three times; later in 1969, early 1970 and 1972.