The U.S., the Soviet Union and 70 other nations signed an agreement banning biological warfare
On Apr. 10, 1972, the United States, the Soviet Union and 70 other nations signed an agreement that…
H3N2 viruses were first identified in swine
In 1970, influenza H3N2 viruses were first identified in swine during an influenza surveillance study in Taiwan. This…
The “Hong Kong” influenza pandemic resulted in roughly 34,000 deaths in the U.S.
The 1968 pandemic, also known as the Hong Kong flu, was caused by an influenza A (H3N2) virus…
Pandemic caused by an influenza A (H3N2) first noted in the U.S.
In 1968, a pandemic was caused by an influenza A (H3N2) virus comprised of two genes from an…
Study showed relationship between human and avian flu viruses
In 1967, Dr. H.G. Pereira and colleagues propose a relationship between human and avian flu viruses after a…
The FDA licensed amantadine, a new antiviral medication, as a prophylactic against influenza A
In 1966, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed amantadine (marketed as Symmetrel) to Du Pont, a…
CDC launched the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System
In 1962, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System….
Outbreak in South Africa raises possibility of wild birds as a possible reservoir for influenza A viruses
In 1961, influenza virus was first isolated from wild birds in South Africa, from common terns (Sterna hirundo)….
U.S. Surgeon General recommended annual influenza vaccination
In 1960, the U.S. Surgeon General, in response to substantial morbidity and mortality during the 1957-58 pandemic, recommends…
The “Asian” influenza pandemic resulted in an estimated 70,000 deaths in the U.S. alone
In Feb. 1957, a new influenza A (H2N2) virus emerged in East Asia, triggering a pandemic (‘Asian Flu’)….
New H2N2 flu virus emergedﾠ to trigger a pandemic
In Feb. 1957, a new influenza A (H2N2) virus emerged in East Asia, triggering a pandemic (“Asian Flu”)….
The ‘Asian flu’ influenza pandemic emerged, resulting in the CDC setting up an influenza surveillance unit
In 1957, the ‘Asian flu’ influenza pandemic emerged, resulting in the CDC setting up an influenza surveillance unit,…
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Children’s Orthopedic Hospital opened the Northwest’s first Poison Control Center
On Jan. 1, 1956, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital opened the Northwest’s first Poison Control Center to advise callers on…
CDC’s influenza branch designated a WHO Collaborating Centre for Surveillance and Control of Influenza
In 1956, the CDC’s Influenza Branch in Atlanta was designated a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for…
WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System established
Since 1952, global influenza surveillance has been conducted through WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). The…
The Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System was created by the WHO
In 1952, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) was created by World Health Organization (WHO) to…
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The World Health Organization was founded in Geneva
On Apr. 7, 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded and is today the United Nations agency…
World Health Organization Influenza Centre was established in London
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza Centre was established at the National Institute for Medical Research…
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Dr. Isabel M. Morgan demonstrated that chemically inactivated poliovirus would induce immunity
In 1948, Dr. Isabel M. Morgan led a team that successfully inoculated monkeys with a killed-virurs vaccine. From…
Investigators determined antigenic changes rendered existing flu vaccines ineffective
In 1947, during the seasonal flu epidemic, investigators determined that changes in the antigenic composition of circulating influenza…
Dr. Jonas Salk was recruited to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
In 1947, Dr. Jonas Salk was recruited from the University of Michigan by Dr. William S. McEllroy, dean…
An outbreak of influenza occurred in Japan and Korea in American troops
In late 1946, an outbreak of influenza occurred in Japan and Korea in American troops. It spread in…
Inactivated influenza vaccine was first licensed in the U.S.
In 1945, the inactivated influenza vaccine was first licensed in the U.S. The first vaccine was an inactivated,…
Use of cell cultures for virus growth was discovered
In 1944, the use of cell cultures for virus growth was discovered. This allowed viruses to be cultured…
Influenza A/B vaccine was introduced to the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board
In 1942, influenza A/B vaccine was introduced to the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board. The vaccine was effective against…
Dr. Jonas Salk arrived at the University of Michigan School of Public Health
In 1942, Dr. Jonas Salk arrived at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Techniques earned there…
The influenza B virus was isolated
In 1940, Thomas Francis, Jr, MD isolated the influenza B virus from a child in 1940. Francis helped…
Margaret Pittman showed that sulfapyradine was effective against nontype-specific Haemophilus influenzae
In 1939, Margaret Pittman showed that sulfapyradine was effective against nontype-specific Haemophilus influenzae. Pittman discovered that there are…
Influenza vaccine developed to protect U.S. military forces
In 1938, Thomas Francis, Jr., MD and Jonas Salk, MD served as lead researchers at the University of…
Sir Macfarlane Burnet discovered that influenza virus could be grown in embryonated hens’ eggs
In 1936, Sir Macfarlane Burnet discovered that influenza virus could be grown in embryonated hens’ eggs. This led…