The last time a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) was in 2009 when the Swine Flu outbreak was at its peak. The Swine Flu was also known as the pig influenza this virus estimated killed as many as 575,000 people during the pandemic period.
Those who are wondering what pandemic is, here we are with all the answers:
Declaring a pandemic has nothing to do with changes to the characteristics of a disease, but is instead associated with concerns over its geographic spread. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a pandemic is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.
So far, more than 121,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 4,300 have died from the current Coronavirus.
How did the Swine Flu Pandemic start?
- The swine flu was first recognised during the 1919 pandemic, but the H1N1 strain in the 2009 outbreak was first detected in humans in America.
- The research found the virus was a “reassortment” of influenza viruses, were bird, swine and human flu viruses further combined with a Eurasian pig flu virus.
- It is like a strain found in pigs in North America around 1999-2000.
How do you test coronavirus? Is it a blood test?
When did the Swine Flu end?
- The Swine Flu end took place in 2009 when the two vaccines had been developed and administered in more than a dozen countries.
- The first vaccine was similar to a regular flu shot and included an inactivated virus.
- The second was administered as a nasal spray and had a weak version of the virus that could not infect the recipient.
- Both were produced by growing the virus inside chicken eggs.
