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Four Flu Pandemics: Lessons that Need to Be Learned

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  • Ronn Pineo

    (Towson University)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronn Pineo, 2021. "Four Flu Pandemics: Lessons that Need to Be Learned," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 37(4), pages 398-448, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:37:y:2021:i:4:p:398-448
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X211047221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Siddharth Chandra & Goran Kuljanin & Jennifer Wray, 2012. "Mortality From the Influenza Pandemic of 1918–1919: The Case of India," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(3), pages 857-865, August.
    2. John M. Barry, 2009. "Pandemics: avoiding the mistakes of 1918," Nature, Nature, vol. 459(7245), pages 324-325, May.
    3. Yueh-Ming Loo & Michael Gale, 2007. "Fatal immunity and the 1918 virus," Nature, Nature, vol. 445(7125), pages 267-268, January.
    4. repec:plo:pone00:0069586 is not listed on IDEAS
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    1. Sunny Enow Aiyuk & Phuthego Phuthego Molosiwa, 2023. "Sanitize the Man, Sanitize the Car: COVID-19 Disease Control in Botswana," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 39(2), pages 153-173, June.

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