3. Spanish Flu Pandemic (1918-1920)
The Spanish Flu pandemic, which occurred between 1918 and 1920, was one of the deadliest in history. It infected approximately one-third of the global population, leading to an estimated 50 million deaths worldwide. Unlike typical influenza strains that primarily affect the very young and the elderly, this virus had a particularly high mortality rate among healthy young adults aged 20 to 40. The pandemic’s rapid spread and high death toll had profound social and economic impacts, disrupting daily life and economies worldwide. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
