The 1968 pandemic was caused by
an influenza A (H3N2) virus
comprised of two genes from an avian influenza A virus, including a new H3 hemagglutinin, but also contained the N2 neuraminidase from the 1957 H2N2 virus.
How did the Hong Kong flu start?
Hong Kong flu was one of the famous influenza pandemics in history. It was
caused by an H3N2 strain of the influenza A virus
, descended from H2N2 through antigenic shift, a genetic process in which genes from multiple subtypes reassorted to form a new virus.
What type of virus was the Hong Kong flu?
The Asian flu was caused by an avian H2N2 influenza A strain, and the Hong Kong flu was caused by
an H3N2 strain
that was a reassortment of human and avian viruses as well. The H1N1 pandemic which began in 2009–10 was a reassortment virus containing human, avian, and porcine viral elements.
How long did the Hong Kong flu last?
The outbreak lasted
around six weeks
, affecting about 15% of the population (some 500,000 people infected), but the mortality rate was low and the clinical symptoms were mild. There were two waves of the flu in mainland China, one between July–September in 1968 and the other between June–December in 1970.
What were the symptoms of the Hong Kong flu?
Hong Kong Flu Facts
Symptoms included:
chills, fever, muscular aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache and vomiting and diarrhoea for some
. Symptoms would last approximately 4-6 days, though could persist for two weeks.
What was the mortality rate of the Hong Kong flu?
15 million global doses were available by the pandemic's early peak, in January 1969. Powerful new antivirals were used to fight the virus, too. The 1968 ‘Hong Kong flu' had only a
0.5 percent mortality rate
. Alarmingly, those younger than 65 died of flu or pneumonia complications, during the brief pandemic.
What does the Hong Kong flu do to your body?
Symptoms lasted four to five days, and in some cases up to two weeks. The infection caused
upper respiratory
symptoms typical of influenza, including chills, fever, muscle pain and weakness.
How widespread was the swine flu?
It is estimated that in the 2009 flu pandemic 11
–21% of the then global population
(of about 6.8 billion), or around 700 million to 1.4 billion people, contracted the illness—more in absolute terms than the Spanish flu pandemic. There were 18,449 confirmed fatalities.
Are bananas good for the flu?
Bananas.
Yes
. These are great for the flu and are loaded with nutrients and energy. They're easy on the stomach.
Is H3N2 worse than H1N1?
Conclusions:
Influenza A H3N2 infection was more severe than A H1N1 or B
in terms of fever, leukopenia, and C-reactive protein. Myalgia and other symptoms such as fever, headache, general malaise and sore throat were equally frequent in influenza A H3N2, A H1N1, and B infections.
Previous H3N2 influenza A infection may explain some cases of severe COVID-19. According to research from the University of California, some cases of severe coronavirus
disease
2019 (COVID-19) may be related to the immunological memory of previous H3N2 influenza A infection.
Was there a vaccine for the Hong Kong flu in 1969?
Studies of the effect of Hong Kong (HK) influenza vaccine were
made in adults and children in Great Britain
during 1968 and 1969. The vaccines were administered intramuscularly and also by intranasal spray.
Is H3N2 swine flu?
Influenza A H3N2 variant viruses (also known as “H3N2v” viruses) with the matrix (M) gene from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus were first detected in people in July 2011. The viruses were first identified in U.S. pigs in 2010.
Do pandemics last forever?
The truth of the matter is
that pandemics always end
. And to date vaccines have never played a significant role in ending them. (That doesn't mean vaccines aren't playing a critical role this time. Far fewer people will die from Covid-19 because of them.)
How long did it take for the swine flu to pass?
Symptoms usually last
4–6 days
. Antivirals (oseltamivir or zanamivir) were recommended for those with more severe symptoms or those in an at-risk group. The pandemic began to taper off in November 2009, and by May 2010, the number of cases was in steep decline.
