Lessons from Spanish Flu Pandemic that Hit a Century Ago- History Repeating Itself?

Follow us on Google News:
 Lessons from Spanish Flu Pandemic that Hit a Century Ago- History Repeating Itself?
                                 

Summary

  • The Spanish flu (1918) is an apt incident to refer to and might prove helpful to the global public health community prepare to combat contemporary pandemic.
  • COVID-19 is a headline-grabbing, yet far less deadly than the Spanish Flu outbreak as present-day economies remain better equipped to tackle its repercussions.
  • Currently, lockdowns are being gradually lifted, economies have started re-opening and COVID-19 vaccines remain in trials, as the world continues to take cues from history to combat the novel coronavirus.

If you believe that social distancing is a new idea being exercised owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, let us give you a reality check- it is not! Long ago, this “new normal” of present time saved thousands of lives. Will the past repeat itself again? We leave that for time to answer.

At the time of writing on 4 June 2020, COVID-19, the dreaded invisible enemy, COVID-19 claimed 379k lives in 216 nations as per the World Health Organization, and confirmed cases stood at a staggering 6.2 million plus (date as of 3 June 2020). But history reminds us that this is not the first, and definitely not the nastiest war that homo sapiens have fought against an infectious disease.

Over a century ago, the flu epidemic of 1918, referred to as the Spanish flu swept the globe and caused what evolved into the 20th century’s deadliest pandemic. A virus struck promptly, stirring up panic, apprehension, and uncertainty- a century ago, just like it did a few months back.

Spanish Flu- The Mother of All Pandemics?

During 1918–1919, in the aftermath of World War I, pandemic influenza occurred across the globe, linked with clinical and epidemiological features, affecting extraordinary mortality. It claimed an estimated 50–100 million deaths, as per date derived from the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

In the US alone, the death toll had surpassed 675k. Referred to as the Spanish Flu and caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin, it is considered to be the most severe pandemic mankind has ever witnessed- with almost one-third of the world’s population infected with the virus.

It was first detected among military people in the spring of 1918, in the US and slowly spread worldwide, lasting until 1920. There were no vaccines to safeguard humans from the infection and no antibiotics to cure secondary bacterial infections linked to it. Consequently, control efforts worldwide were limited and isolation, quarantine, disinfectant use, good quality personal hygiene, and restrictions of public gatherings were the only effective tools to limit the plague.

What remained worrisome is- the dire effect of the Spanish Flu was not limited to 1918–1919. Most cases of influenza A globally, are believed to have been instigated by descendants of the Spanish Flu exposed population.

Novel Coronavirus- Reminder that Pandemics Are Here to Stay?

Epidemics till date have highlighted that a mere virus can easily highlight the fault lines in our society, reveal our weaknesses and drive us to cooperate as a global family. As COVID-19 balloons into a Global Virus Crisis (GVC) as experts are naming it, historians, governments, social organisations, and even medical science have been reminded of the Spanish Flu, which is seen as an important event, setting a precedent of learning lessons from past outbreaks, in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

While we are in what seems to be a time machine, economies have launched the same measures that were introduced 100 years ago- Lockdown put in place, social distancing mandated, hygiene calls boosted. The difference is- presently, nations might be a better equipped to facilitate these that they were during the Spanish Flu.

While we live in a social fear presently, aware that pandemics have occurred before and we have been exposed to another, a notable reminder is that its end depends on each country- how well information is carried in it and how well preventive measures are adopted.

There have been several vicious outbreaks that have shook the global family across centuries and decades- Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic of 1793, cholera in the 1830s, Spanish Flu in 1918, HIV-AIDS in the 1980s, H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic of 2009, Zika Virus epidemic of 2015 that continues to prevail and COVID-19- one that we are battling now.

What remains common is- pandemics’ occurrence. They sustain. Health and economies suffer. Humans have always been at test to fight them. The virus that first originated in Wuhan City of China a few months back, is just a reminder of the same.

Lessons from Spanish Flu Relevant Amid COVID-19

As we await an effective vaccine for COVID-19 to date, many of which remain in pre-clinical and clinical stages across the world, there are few lessons that the Spanish Flu can teach us as we battle the novel coronavirus. We should also consider that in contemporary era, information channels, antibiotics, modern/ smart hospitals, intensive care unit, instant detection kits are a boon, and were missing in 1918, which can be considered as a stone age of technology.

Pneumonia is a threat to human race

The first lesson from 1918 is that a form of pneumonia, that takes the better of our immune system and weakens it to an extent that virus can no longer be fought is a huge threat to human race. Both pandemics demonstrate that pneumonia has caused people to suffer from the viruses more than any other ailment. Having said this, a healthy immune system can deal reasonably well with flu and ultimately, COVID-19, if other preventive measures remain in place.

Public Health Should be of Paramount National/ International Interest

Health truly is wealth. In 1918, the world was just out of a war. Moreover, slums, impoverished urban areas, populations with poor sanitation and nutrition and ones lacking fundamental health essentials are at greater threat for contagious diseases. This is a reminder that countries should focus on providing efficient public health systems and ensure that citizens are well-equipped to defend themselves from pandemics. Besides this, health education, isolation, sanitation, and surveillance should be exercised efficiently.

Nobody is immune to COVID-19

While in 1918, the young and healthy fell prey to the Spanish Flu to the greatest degree, COVID-19 seems to be a higher risk trigger for the older and youngest population. Hence, one must learn that every age group can be hit by the repercussions of pandemic.

Like Spanish Flu, COVID-19 would be vanquished too

The Spanish Flu swayed away though not fully eradicated as its descendants are believed to have potential to further spread the virus, its fear receded with advances in medical science and better awareness over the years. Likewise, experts opine that with social distancing in place, herd immunity structuring and collaborative work in progress to develop treatments and a vaccine, COVID-19 too can be a war won over another virus.

All one needs is- discipline, time, and an effective approach.

Disclaimer

The content, including but not limited to any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (Content) is a service of Kalkine Media Pty Ltd (Kalkine Media, we or us), ACN 629 651 672 and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. The principal purpose of the Content is to educate and inform. The Content does not contain or imply any recommendation or opinion intended to influence your financial decisions and must not be relied upon by you as such. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable, but is NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold the stocks of the company(s) or engage in any investment activity under discussion. Kalkine Media is neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice through this platform. Users should make their own enquiries about any investments and Kalkine Media strongly suggests the users to seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice), as necessary. Kalkine Media hereby disclaims any and all the liabilities to any user for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising from any use of the Content on this website, which is provided without warranties. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music that may be used on this website are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used on this website unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used on this website are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated as or found to be necessary.

Featured Articles

Top ASX Listed Companies


We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.