From the Archives: Remembering the 1957 flu pandemic

First reported in Singapore in February 1957, a new strain of influenza A (H2N2) spread to more than 20 countries in less than 4 months. In San Diego the first cases appeared at the Naval Training Center in late June.

Called the Asiatic or Asian flu, the epidemic caused an estimated 1.1 million deaths worldwide and 116,000 in the United States, according to the CDC. The outbreak was softened in America because researchers were able to obtain virus samples and quickly manufacture a vaccine.

From The San Diego Union, Sunday Sept. 8, 1957:

WAR ON FLU

Nation’s Doctors Gird For Epidemic

Throughout the nation this week a strange new virus—a virus which magnified 113,000 times under the electronic microscope looks like so many tufts on a chenille spread—is the subject o£ a great deal oi professional and amateur conversation.

lts medical name is influenza mutant strain A. But it is more familiarly known as the Asiatic, Oriental or Far East flu.

Since April, when it emerged out of Communist China and swept first through the Far East and then westwardly through the Near East and into Europe. It has struck some seven million persons. as nearly as the World Health Organization can calculate. It has caused an estimated 1,400 deaths.

September 8, 1957 page

(The San Diego Union)

From Washington, the U.S. Public Health Service reports 25,000 confirmed cases in this country since June. And many citizens, remembering the flu pandemic of World War I are fearful of a similar siege this winter.

The medical profession agrees that the Asiatic virus is highly contagious, spreads rapidly and that an epidemic is possible—with up to 30 million cases. But they are just as adamant that the Asiatic strain is much milder than the 1918 variety and that there is no cause for panic.

The American Medical Association, U.S. Public Health Service and state and local counterparts are gearing for the possible epidemic and have in numerous statements in the past few Weeks, indicated that common sense and a routine check with a personal physician is the best remedy for those stricken.

Despite preparations by the C.S. Public Health Department very little can be done in terms of immunity shots before February 1958. Military forces plan to use eight million shots of the 10 million which will be ready this month.

The San Diego County Medical Society, after a special midweek conference, agreed to give priority here to personnel who are essential to the maintenance of community services.

The society said persons in the priority group would include those who are needed to maintain law and order, fire protection, communication and transportation facilities, essential service utilities and the health of the community.

Priority for the vaccine will also be given to persons who constitute a special medical risk such as cardiac patients, the aged and chronically debilitated.