About Pandemics WAS: Woman dies

[Guest guest]

Randy wrote: " ... <snip> ... So everyone here will think " Randy,

these are pandemics and will kill a lot " but not realize that it is

not always true. It's *suspected*. Key word! ... <snip> ... "

It's not suspected; it's fact.

FACT: Between September 1918 and April 1919, approximately 40

percent of the worldwide population became ill with the flue

resulting in over 50 million people dying because of the flu.

mortality rates were high among healthy adults as well as the usual

high-risk groups. The attack rate and mortality was highest among

adults 20 to 50 years old.

No one knows exactly how many people died during the 1918-1919

influenza pandemic however researchers estimated global mortality

from this particular pandemic at between 30 and 50 million.

Interestingly enough, those who had survived the especially virulent

influenza pandemic of 1890 tended to be less susceptible to the

disease when the pandemic of 1918 hit.

FACT: In February 1957, the flu pandemic was quickly identified due

to advances in scientific technology. Vaccine was available in

limited supply by August 1957. Infection rates were highest among

school children, young adults, and pregnant women by October 1957.

Most deaths relating to this flu occurred between September 1957 and

March 1958. In January and February 1958, there was another wave,

this time affecting mostly the elderly and yes, Randy, there were

quite a few more deaths due to the flu.

FACT: In December 1968 and January 1969 another flu pandemic hit

North America. Those over the age of 65 were most likely to die. The

same virus returned in 1970 and 1972. The number of deaths between

September 1968 and March 1969 for this pandemic made it the mildest

pandemic in the 20th century. But it still killed a lot of people!

PERSONAL OPINION BASED ON FACT: Pandemic flu occurs three to four

times per century, can take place in any season, and may come

in " waves " of flu activity that could be separated by months as

evidenced by the second wave experienced in the 1957 pandemic.

Experts with the CDC predict an infection rate of 40 to 50 percent of

the population in North America with all age groups are at risk and a

a mortality rate determined by the severity of the flu strain.

So, Randy, if this is a pandemic we are seeing on the train -- and it

may very well be -- then it's not going to be very pretty when all is

said and done.

Raven

Co-Administrator