BS: other virus pandemics

Subject: RE: BS: other virus pandemics
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Mar 20 - 04:25 AM

I watched an old BBC programme (recorded from PBS America channel) about the Black Death.

A fair number of people interviewed were presenting evidence that made them believe it was not an epidemic of bubonic plague. The speed of transmission, and written records describing it. ie viral.
And............
The New Scientist published details of DNA tests (5 years ago) of skeletons. The researchers reported that there was a shift dating from the 14th century that looked like immunity to something. With 50% death rate, evolution would have favoured those DNA giving protection - herd immunity.
And Bubonic Plague was rife in Victorian San Fransisco (also among those of European descent) - sorted by a programme of paying 10c for dead rats, & more for pregnant females.

Subject: RE: BS: other virus pandemics
From: Acorn4
Date: 22 Mar 20 - 05:36 AM

The 1918 epidemic was similar to the current one in that it affected the lungs but different in that it mainly struck the 1-30 age group.

Subject: RE: BS: other virus pandemics
From: Senoufou
Date: 22 Mar 20 - 04:24 AM

I got Russian flu in 1977. It was pretty awful and I lived alone then. But I recovered quite quickly.
I was watching a programme on TV the other night about Eyam (pronounced Eem), a village in Derbyshire. I'd heard about it before. The residents started in 1665 to get the Plague but the vicar persuaded everyone to stay put and not flee to other places, thus nobly limiting the spread of the disease. During the self-imposed quarantine, 260 people died, the last one expiring in November 1666.

Subject: RE: BS: other virus pandemics
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Mar 20 - 04:17 AM

Bubonic Plague caused by a bacterium, but causes 'flu like symptoms.

Subject: BS: other virus pandemics
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Mar 20 - 11:24 PM

Asian flu of 1957, also called Asian flu pandemic of 1957, outbreak of influenza that was first identified in February 1957 in East Asia and that subsequently spread to countries worldwide. The 1957 Asian flu was the second major influenza pandemic to occur in the 20th century; it followed the influenza pandemic of 1918–19 (also known as Spanish flu) and preceded the Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968. The Asian flu outbreak caused an estimated one million to two million deaths worldwide and is generally considered to have been the least severe of the three influenza pandemics of the 20th century.