The threat of avian flu has led to empty shelves in grocery stores across America, forcing farmers to cull millions of chickens to prevent its spread. But what if the influenza virus had shifted and mutated into a deadly pandemic like its 1918 predecessor?
In 1957, Maurice Hilleman, an expert in influenza, recognized this threat and took action. He saw an article about rising rates of influenza in Asia and knew that Americans lacked immunity against the new virus. With the help of colleagues in Asia, Hilleman developed a vaccine and alerted the government to produce more.
However, vaccination rates were initially low due to public apathy towards the flu shot. It was only luck that the 1957 pandemic did not mirror its 1918 relative’s ability to kill, leading experts to intensify monitoring of the virus and improve vaccines.
Today, Americans are more prepared for an influenza pandemic than their ancestors were in 1918 and 1957. Yet, the virus’s unpredictability makes it impossible to know when a new pandemic will emerge.
Source: https://theconversation.com/us-dodged-a-bird-flu-pandemic-in-1957-thanks-to-eggs-and-dumb-luck-with-a-new-strain-spreading-fast-will-americans-get-lucky-again-247157