Review article

The Spanish flu, the “mother” of all pandemics, ravaged the world 100 years ago

Željko Cvetnić ; Hrvatski veterinarski institut, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Vladimir Savić ; Hrvatski veterinarski institut, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

The Spanish flu epidemic is considered the most severe and most dangerous pandemic of modern times. No illness, war, hunger, or other event in the history of mankind has contributed to so much fatality in such a short time. It began in 1918 and spread quickly throughout the world. In all likelihood, it was the largest natural disaster of the early 20th century. The first pandemic wave began in the spring of 1918 (Kansas, USA) as a mild form of the disease, deaths were rare and therefore did not arouse any particular concerns. The second wave, which started in the fall of 1918, was extremely lethal. More than 30% of the world’s population (about 500 million people) fell ill and it is believed that 50 to 100 million people died. Despite this, the Spanish flu has disappeared from history. It was overshadowed by the First World War and its military and socio-political consequences. Spanish flu can be considered a “historic accident” and another cruel repercussion of the horrible First World War.

Keywords

Spanish flu; pandemic; world; 1918

Hrčak ID:

223200

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/223200

Publication date:

9.10.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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