1918 flu: Urban versus Isolated Rural Areas

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1918 Influenza Pandemic (Spanish Flu): Large Differences in Mortality Between

Urban and Isolated Rural Areas

ScienceDaily (Apr. 27, 2011) — In urban communities, less than 1 in 100

inhabitants died from Spanish flu in 1918, but in isolated communities up to 9

out of 10 died. An important explanation for the differences is due to different

exposure to influenza in the decades before the Spanish flu came. Those living

in urban communities probably had a higher degree of pre-existing immunity that

protected against illness and death in 1918 than those living in very isolated

rural areas. This is shown in a new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public

Health...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110427092049.htm