Past Influenza pandemics and their effect in Malta

Abstract

The influenza virus type A has caused repeated pandemics throughout the 19th and 20 th century causing significant morbidity and mortality on a worldwide scale. The worst pandemic on record during the 20th century was that which occurred during 1917-19, the virus being assisted in its spread by the massive movement of persons brought on by World War I. The present increasing international travel has led to increasing alarm of the possible effects of an emerging pandemic with the WHO issuing guidelines to ensure the preparedness of health authorities. The various Influenza Type A pandemics of the late 19th and 20th century have had a varying effect on the Maltese community with influenza reaching epidemic proportions during the 1889-90 Asiatic Flu, 1917-19 Spanish Flu, 1957-58 Asian Flu pandemics, and 1968-69 Hong Kong flu, but no apparent effect during the 1977-78 Russian Flu pandemic.