10. Flu Pandemic, 1968 (Killed A Million People)
Asia
The flu pandemic of 1968 killed a million people within a very short space of time. Often referred to as the “Hong Kong Flu”, this virus was influenza led and first reported in July. Less than three weeks later, the virus had spread from Hong Kong to Vietnam and Singapore, and three months later it had hit some of the major developed economies. The mortality rate was relatively low, albeit that 50% of deaths were in Hong Kong, dipping its population by more than 10% at the time. A flu pandemic is frightening because it spreads very quickly, and can bring economies to a standstill, with people off from work and unable to risk spreading it to their colleagues
Flu Pandemic
11. Asian Flu, 1956-1958 (Over 2,000,000 Deaths)
Asia
Similarly, the Asian flu spread very quickly, albeit this time from China, lasting two years. Two million people lost their lives during this time, especially when it spread to Hong Kong, Singapore, and even America. While some sources dispute the stats, the WHO cites nearly 70 000 deaths in North America alone, and still considers the Asian Flu to be one of the worst influenza pandemics that humans have had to deal with in recent times. Similarly to what would follow in 1968, little was known about the virus at first, although the second time around they had existing data to try and curb infections a little faster.
Asian Flu
