How was the Hong Kong flu eradicated?

The H5N1 virus in Hong Kong seemed to be rarely transmissible from human to human. The 1997 H5N1 bird flu was once eradicated by the culling of all poultry in Hong Kong.

Was there a vaccine for the Hong Kong flu?

Although a vaccine was developed against the virus, it became available only after the pandemic had peaked in many countries. The H3N2 virus that caused the 1968 pandemic is still in circulation today and is considered to be a strain of seasonal influenza.

What is the prevention and treatment of influenza?

The best way to prevent the flu is through annual vaccinations. Each flu shot protects against three to four different influenza viruses within that year’s flu season. Other ways to prevent spreading this disease include: washing your hands regularly.

How long did Hong Kong flu pandemic last?

The outbreak lasted around six weeks, affecting about 15\% of the population (some 500,000 people infected), but the mortality rate was low and the clinical symptoms were mild. There were two waves of the flu in mainland China, one between July–September in 1968 and the other between June–December in 1970.

What virus caused the Hong Kong flu?

The 1968 pandemic was caused by an influenza A (H3N2) virus comprised of two genes from an avian influenza A virus, including a new H3 hemagglutinin, but also contained the N2 neuraminidase from the 1957 H2N2 virus.

How contagious was the Hong Kong flu?

Highly contagious However, it descended from the earlier H2N2 Asian flu strain. Hong Kong Flu was highly contagious and spread fast – first across Southeast Asia, then the world, including Australia, Africa, Europe and South America, reaching the US via troops returning to California from Vietnam in October 1968.

Where did the Hong Kong flu start?

Abstract. The Hong Kong strain of influenza virus A2 may have originated in the mainland of China but this is not certain. It caused a very large epidemic in Hong Kong and spread rapidly to countries as far as India and the Northern Territory of Australia—as happened in the 1957 epidemic.

How can viral infections be prevented?

Frequent hand washing, and avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose, will go a long way toward preventing the spread of nasty viral infections. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.

Was the Hong Kong flu A virus?

Hong Kong flu was one of the famous influenza pandemics in history. It was caused by an H3N2 strain of the influenza A virus, descended from H2N2 through antigenic shift, a genetic process in which genes from multiple subtypes reassorted to form a new virus.

What kind of virus was the Hong Kong flu?

How can I get rid of a virus fast?

But you can find relief faster with these smart moves.

1. Take it easy. When you’re sick, your body works hard to fight off that infection.
2. Go to bed. Curling up on the couch helps, but don’t stay up late watching TV.
3. Drink up.
4. Gargle with salt water.
5. Sip a hot beverage.
6. Have a spoonful of honey.

What do we know about the Hong Kong flu?

The Hong Kong flu strain shared internal genes and the neuraminidase with the 1957 Asian Flu (H2N2). Accumulated antibodies to the neuraminidase or internal proteins may have resulted in much fewer casualties than most pandemics.

When did the Asian flu start and end?

The 1968–1969 pandemic. The first record of the outbreak in Hong Kong appeared on 13 July 1968. By the end of July 1968, extensive outbreaks were reported in Vietnam and Singapore. Despite the fatality of the 1957 Asian Flu in China, little improvement had been made regarding the handling of such epidemics.

How contagious was the 1968 flu outbreak?

Although the 1968 flu outbreak was associated with comparatively few deaths worldwide, the virus was highly contagious, a factor that facilitated its rapid global dissemination.