Asian Flu Pandemic (1957-1958)

Notable Pandemics

The Asian Flu Pandemic was discovered in 1957 and was an outbreak of influenza in East Asia that spread to other countries around the world. This particular pandemic was estimated to cause 1-2million deaths worldwide. The Asian Flu was considered to be an avian flu that mutated and combined with the human influenza virus. The symptoms of the asian flu mimic influenza, these symptoms include: fever, weakness, dry cough, sore throat, no appetite, and body chills. The recovery time may take weeks, however a vaccine was quickly developed once the virus was discovered and the vaccine is no longer needed as the virus no longer circulates in humans and is only carried by animals. The death toll from this pandemic ranges between 1-2 million worldwide and this pandemic is considered to be one of the "least severe influenza pandemics" of the 20th century.