1918 flu pandemic

The 1918 flu pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu, was an unusually severe influenza outbreak that occurred globally in 1918-1919. It infected about one-third of the world’s population and caused an estimated 50 million deaths. The virus spread rapidly due to conditions during World War I, where overcrowded military camps helped facilitate transmission. It notably affected healthy young adults more than typical strains, leading to a high mortality rate. The pandemic highlighted the importance of public health measures and scientific understanding of viruses, shaping future responses to infectious diseases.