21. The Asian Flu pandemic, 1957-1958
The Asian Flu which struck the United States in 1957 originated the preceding year in Guzhou, China. Some medical professionals believed it mutated from a virus affecting ducks, melding with another form of the human influenza virus. Others dispute its origin. It spread rapidly from China around the world, arriving in the United States in June, 1957. By the end of the year, a vaccine was developed to contain the spread of the disease. Just under 70,000 Americans succumbed to the Asian Flu before it was contained in 1958. The majority of victims were the very young, the very old, and those with weakened immune systems. Around the world, more than 2 million died, with some estimates up to 4 million.
In 1958 vaccines brought the pandemic under control. The Asian Flu virus mutated from an H2N2 to H3N2, making it undeterred by the vaccine and a second pandemic erupted in 1968-69. The second pandemic of Asian Flu was not as widespread, nor were the symptoms as severe. Known as the Hong Kong Flu, it killed another 1 million people worldwide, including about 33,000 in the United States, with those over the age of 65 representing the largest number of victims. Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins and entertainers who performed with Bob Hope in the 1920s, were among the victims of the Hong Kong Flu. Violet died some days after the death of her sister, alone at their home.