Flu Pandemic (1968)
Estimated deaths: 1 million
Similar to the flu pandemic that struck just a decade earlier, this flu also appeared to originate from Hong Kong. Hence, this flu outbreak is sometimes called the Hong Kong Flu. This was the third flu pandemic to hit the globe in the 20th century. First appearing in Hong Kong in July 1968, it quickly rippled out and by the end of the same month had reached Vietnam and Singapore. American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War would bring the virus to the United States by the Fall of 1968.
As the world entered 1969, the flu virus migrated to Africa, Europe, South America, India, and Japan. The fortunate trait of this outbreak was the very low mortality rate. Some estimates were as low as 0.1%. The elderly were the primary victims of the disease and had the highest death rate. Another fortunate situation in many Western countries was that the flu hit around winter break which meant that transmission through work and school were greatly reduced. Some medical experts believed that many may have built up some immunity to the flu virus strain after the 1956 outbreak of Asian Flu. Others point to the improved medical system in many countries by this time. Whatever the case, the flu mercifully did not take as many victims as previous ones. Still, an estimated 1 million around the globe would perish from the flu virus.
Like other outbreaks, this too came in waves. The first wave lasted just six months – disappearing as quickly as it had arrived. However, the virus was not done as it returned in 1969, and again in 1970, and finally in 1972. Even though mortality was lower than previous flu outbreaks, the symptoms were still terrible to feel. It produced symptoms of chills, fever, and muscle pain and weakness. These would typically last from four to six days. Something to note is that the H3N2 virus that caused the 1968 pandemic is still in circulation today and is considered to be a strain of contemporary seasonal influenza.
