The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. We don't really know he virus originated, it spread worldwide during. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus.

1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)

The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States. Mortality was high in people younger than 5 years old, 20-40 years old, and 65 years and older. The high mortality in healthy people, including those in the 20-40 year age group, was a unique feature of this pandemic.

The 1918 influenza in numbers

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The Deadliest Flu: The Complete Story of the Discovery and Reconstruction of the 1918 Pandemic Virus
<img src="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/images/pandemic-resources/1918-flu-virus.jpg">The 1918 H1N1 flu virus caused the deadliest pandemic of the 20th century. To better understand this deadly virus, an expert group of researchers and virus hunters set out to search for the lost 1918 virus, sequence its genome, recreate the virus in a highly safe and regulated laboratory setting at CDC, and ultimately study its secrets to better prepare for future pandemics.
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The Deadliest Flu: The Complete Story of the Discovery and Reconstruction of the 1918 Pandemic Virus The 1918 H1N1 flu virus caused the deadliest pandemic of the 20th century.

1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)

1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)

The 1918 influenza in numbers

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