The 1957 bird flu pandemic was averted in the United States due to eggs and luck. In recent months, Americans have faced empty shelves of eggs as avian flu spreads across the country.
Nearly 70 years ago, Maurice Hilleman, an expert in influenza, worried about finding eggs for his vaccine-making purposes. He knew that the threat of avian flu was imminent, but scientists had a better understanding of the virus than they did in 1918.
Antigenic drift, which causes the virus to mutate slightly each year, made the previous vaccine ineffective. However, Americans were not accustomed to taking annual flu shots. The government prioritized protecting military personnel over the general public during and after World War II.
Hilleman requested and obtained a sample of the 1957 virus from colleagues in Asia, and by May, scientists knew that Americans lacked immunity against this new version of the virus. A potential pandemic loomed, but it was ultimately contained.
The US prioritized vaccine production for military personnel first, with egg supply being crucial to producing vaccines before the virus spread. This led to a moderate vaccination rate among the public.
Public health experts have credited luck for the 1957 pandemic not becoming more severe. The 1957 virus did not mirror its 1918 counterpart’s ability to kill. This led to improved monitoring of the influenza virus during the 1960s, better vaccines, and increased yearly vaccinations.
The past 60 years have seen significant advances in flu vaccine production, but the virus continues to mutate and shift. Americans may not remember the 1957 pandemic, but it has left a lasting legacy in how public health experts approach future outbreaks. With modern medical and public health advancements, the US is now more prepared for an influenza pandemic than its ancestors were in 1918.
However, the unpredictability of the virus makes it impossible to know when or if another pandemic will emerge.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-dodged-bird-flu-pandemic-130047769.html