1968 flu pandemic

Disease	Influenza
Virus strain	H3N2
Source
Location	Worldwide
First outbreak	Hong Kong
First reported
Index case
Dates
Date	1968–1969

The 1968 flu pandemic, also known as the Hong Kong flu, was a global outbreak of influenza that originated in Hong Kong in 1968. It was caused by the H3N2 strain of the influenza A virus, which was a novel reassortant virus that combined genes from avian and human influenza viruses.

Origins and Spread

The 1968 flu pandemic began in July 1968 in Hong Kong, where it quickly spread to other parts of Asia. By September 1968, the virus had reached the United States, and it continued to spread globally, affecting countries in Europe, Africa, and South America. The pandemic was characterized by a rapid spread due to the highly contagious nature of the virus and the lack of pre-existing immunity in the human population.

Virology

The H3N2 virus responsible for the 1968 pandemic was a result of antigenic shift, a process where two or more different strains of a virus combine to form a new subtype. This particular strain was a reassortant virus that contained a new hemagglutinin (H3) and neuraminidase (N2) from avian influenza viruses, combined with internal genes from the human H2N2 virus that had caused the 1957 flu pandemic.

Impact

The 1968 flu pandemic resulted in an estimated 1 to 4 million deaths worldwide. The impact varied by region, with the highest mortality rates observed among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. In the United States alone, it is estimated that about 100,000 people died as a result of the pandemic.

Public Health Response

The response to the 1968 pandemic included the development and distribution of vaccines, although these efforts were hampered by the rapid spread of the virus. Public health measures such as quarantine and travel restrictions were also implemented in some areas to try to contain the spread of the virus.

Legacy

The 1968 flu pandemic highlighted the importance of global surveillance and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. It also underscored the need for ongoing research and development of vaccines and antiviral drugs to combat influenza and other viral pathogens.

Also see

• 1918 flu pandemic
• 1957 flu pandemic
• 2009 flu pandemic
• Influenza pandemic
• Influenza A virus subtype H3N2