Fifty Years of Influenza A(H3N2) Following the Pandemic of 1968 - PubMed (original) (raw)

Fifty Years of Influenza A(H3N2) Following the Pandemic of 1968

Barbara J Jester et al. Am J Public Health. 2020 May.

Abstract

In 2018, the world commemorated the centennial of the 1918 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, the deadliest pandemic in recorded history; however, little mention was made of the 50th anniversary of the 1968 A(H3N2) pandemic. Although pandemic morbidity and mortality were much lower in 1968 than in 1918, influenza A(H3N2) virus infections have become the leading cause of seasonal influenza illness and death over the last 50 years, with more than twice the number of hospitalizations from A(H3N2) as from A(H1N1) during the past six seasons. We review the emergence, progression, clinical course, etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of the 1968 pandemic and highlight the short- and long-term impact associated with A(H3N2) viruses. The 1968 H3N2 pandemic and its ongoing sequelae underscore the need for improved seasonal and pandemic influenza prevention, control, preparedness, and response efforts.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—

FIGURE 1—

Peak Week of Pandemic Influenza Activity, United States, 1968 Influenza A(H3N2) Pandemic Source. National Center for Communicable Diseases. Influenza—Respiratory Diseases Surveillance. National Communicable Disease Center, June 30, 1969. Report No.: 85.

FIGURE 2—

FIGURE 2—

Estimated Influenza-Like Illness and Vaccine Availability, United States, 1968 Influenza A(H3N2) Pandemic Source. Influenza-like estimates are from the Department of Health Education and Welfare, “Acute Conditions.” Vaccine availability is from Murray, “Production and Testing in the USA of Influenza Virus Vaccine.”

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References

    1. Chang W. K. National Influenza Experience in Hong Kong, 1968. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 41. 1969;(3):349–351. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cockburn W. C., Delon P. J., Ferreira W. “Origin and Progress of the 1968–69 Hong Kong Influenza Epidemic. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 41. 1969;(3):345–348. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Chang, “National Influenza Experience.”.
    1. Cockburn et al., “Origin and Progress.”.
    1. Ibid.

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