reconstructed-spanish-flu-virus
Influenza pandemic of 1918

Influenza pandemic of 1918

1918–1919

Images

Reconstructed Spanish Flu Virus

This negative stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) showed recreated 1918 influenza virions that were collected from the supernatant of a 1918-infected Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell culture 18 hours after infection. In order to sequester these virions, the MDCK cells were spun down (centrifugation), and the 1918 virus present in the fluid was immediately fixed for negative staining. Dr. Terrence Tumpey, one of the organization’s staff microbiologists and a member of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), recreated the 1918 influenza virus in order to identify the characteristics that made this organism such a deadly pathogen. Research efforts such as this, enables researchers to develop new vaccines and treatments for future pandemic influenza viruses. The 1918 Spanish flu epidemic was caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus, killing more than 500,000 people in the United States, and up to 50 million worldwide. The possible source was a newly emerged virus from a swine or an avian host of a mutated H1N1 virus. Many people died within the first few days after infection, and others died of complications later. Nearly half of those who died were young, healthy adults. Influenza A (H1N1) viruses still circulate today after being introduced again into the human population in the 1970s.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Title Influenza pandemic of 1918
  • Coverage 1918–1919
  • Author
  • Keywords infected approximately one-fourth of the population of the United States and killed an estimated 675,000, twice as many military personnel worldwide who died on all fronts during World War I, conversion of three buildings at the University of South Carolina into emergency hospitals, Charleston’s Board of Health banned assemblies of more than five people, helped guide South Carolina toward a future of improved sanitation, increased public health care, and social awareness
  • Website Name South Carolina Encyclopedia
  • Publisher University of South Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies
  • URL
  • Access Date March 28, 2024
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update August 5, 2022
Go to Top