In 1918, as World War I was coming to an end, a virus began rapidly spreading amongst Allied troops. When the soldiers returned home, they brought the disease with them...
This was the start of the deadliest pandemic in modern history.
Time for a thread on the Spanish Flu👇👇👇
This was the start of the deadliest pandemic in modern history.
Time for a thread on the Spanish Flu👇👇👇
1) First, let’s clarify a common misconception. The Spanish Flu was NOT from Spain.
The name actually comes from the fact that Spanish media was the first to cover the outbreak.
The name actually comes from the fact that Spanish media was the first to cover the outbreak.
2) Countries involved in World War I had wartime censors who blocked news of the flu to keep up morale.
Spain, a neutral nation, had no media censorship.
They were, thus, the first country to widely report on the virus, especially after their king, Alfonso XIII, contracted it
Spain, a neutral nation, had no media censorship.
They were, thus, the first country to widely report on the virus, especially after their king, Alfonso XIII, contracted it
3) In fact, no one knows for sure where the virus came from…
Theories point to the US, France, or China.
We do know that the first known case was reported at a Kansas army camp in March, 1918. From there, the virus may have spread to other training camps and then overseas.
Theories point to the US, France, or China.
We do know that the first known case was reported at a Kansas army camp in March, 1918. From there, the virus may have spread to other training camps and then overseas.
4) The Not-So-Spanish Flu occurred in several waves. The first wave in early 1918 was mild.
Those infected experienced only minor flu symptoms, and the death toll was low.
But the disease came back with a vengeance in the fall...
Those infected experienced only minor flu symptoms, and the death toll was low.
But the disease came back with a vengeance in the fall...
5) The following waves were far more contagious and deadly.
Upon falling ill, victims’ skin turned blue, and their lungs filled with a fluid that caused them to suffocate.
Later waves killed at least 10% of their victims within days- sometimes even in hours.
Upon falling ill, victims’ skin turned blue, and their lungs filled with a fluid that caused them to suffocate.
Later waves killed at least 10% of their victims within days- sometimes even in hours.
6) A uniquely horrifying aspect of the Spanish Flu was that mortality was even high among healthy, young people.
Typically, people who die of the flu are either younger than 5, or older than 75.
Scientists remain unsure why this strain was so deadly to 20-40 year olds.
Typically, people who die of the flu are either younger than 5, or older than 75.
Scientists remain unsure why this strain was so deadly to 20-40 year olds.
7) Lack of media coverage and wartime meant that countries were slow to react to the virus.
Eventually, communities implemented measures such as quarantines, social distancing, mask mandates, and the closure of schools and theaters… Sound familiar?
Eventually, communities implemented measures such as quarantines, social distancing, mask mandates, and the closure of schools and theaters… Sound familiar?
8) This was not enough, however, to compensate for a shortage of physicians, coupled with insufficient medical technology to develop a vaccine.
9) Ultimately, this combination of factors made the Spanish Flu deadlier than World War I.
Though estimates vary, the disease likely infected ⅓ of the world’s population (500 million) and killed at least 50 million people.
Though estimates vary, the disease likely infected ⅓ of the world’s population (500 million) and killed at least 50 million people.
10) Extra Fact: After masks became mandatory in San Francisco, those who didn’t comply faced fines, imprisonment, and the threat of being labeled “mask slackers” in local newspapers.
11) If you learned something, you should check out BrainFeed, the internet’s most interesting email that explains everything you should know in 4-minute bites. Subscribe for free: brainfeed.co
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
