Pandemic Influenza's 500th Anniversary

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases 2010-12, Vol.51 (12), p.1442-1444
• Main Authors: Morens, David M., Taubenberger, Jeffery K., Folkers, Gregory K., Fauci, Anthony S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anniversaries; Biological and medical sciences; Disease control; Disease prevention; Emerging diseases; Epidemics; Epidemiology; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Influenza; Influenza, Human - diagnosis; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - history; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Medical diagnosis; Medical sciences; Orthomyxoviridae; Pandemics; Pandemics - history; Preventive medicine; Public health; Vaccination; VIEWPOINTS; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases; Viral infections; Viruses
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1086/657429

It is impossible to know with certainty the first time that an influenza virus infected humans or when the first influenza pandemic occurred. However, many historians agree that the year 1510 a.d.—500 years ago—marks the first recognition of pandemic influenza. On this significant anniversary it is timely to ask: what were the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the 1510 pandemic, and what have we learned about this important disease over the subsequent five centuries?We conclude that in recent decades significant progress has been made in diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment of influenza. It seems likely that, in the foreseeable future, we may be able to greatly reduce the burden of influenza pandemics with improved vaccines and other scientific and public health approaches.