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…
Biology | Influenza | Life Science History | Polio | Vaccine
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…
The etiology of ‘swine influenza’ was established
In 1931, Rockefeller Institute investigator Richard Shope published the first of three landmark papers that established the etiology…
The final tally for New Orleans stood at 54,089 cases and 3,489 deaths
By April 1919, following upticks in influenza over winter, the final tally for New Orleans stood at 54,089…
By the end of the influenza epidemic in Omaha, almost 1,200 people had died
in 1919, by the end of the influenza epidemic in Omaha, almost 1,200 people had died, with a…
The Stanley Cup playoffs between the Montreal Canadians and the Seattle Metropolitans cancelled by Spanish flu
On Apr. 1, 1919, the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Montreal Canadians and the Seattle Metropolitans ended tied…
Denver slowly returned to normal after its flu epidemic, and schools reopened
On Jan. 2, 1919, Denver slowly returned to normal after its flu epidemic, and schools reopened. School teachers…
Louisville experienced a third wave of influenza cases
By late February of 1919, Louisville experienced a third wave of influenza cases, but finally began to return…
Birmingham experienced a third wave in influenza cases and deaths
In Jan. 1919, Birmingham experienced a third wave in influenza cases and deaths.
Boston experienced an excess death rate of 710 per 100,000 residents during the influenza pandemic
By 1919, after the end of its second winter influenza wave, Boston had experienced an excess death rate…
Washington, DC one of the hardest-hit in the nation with 1918-1919 influenza pandemic
In 1919, Washington, D.C. suffered spikes in influenza cases throughout the remainder of 1918, and into early February…
The University of Oregon began offering courses in nursing
In 1919, the University of Oregon in Eugene introduced the state’s first professional courses in nursing. The courses…
By the end of the influenza epidemic, Philadelphia had suffered 748 deaths per 100,000 people
In 1919, by the end of the influenza epidemic, Philadelphia had suffered a terrible cost of 748 deaths…
Influenza cases dwindled through the winter of 1918, yet persisted into April 1919
In 1919, influenza cases dwindled through the winter of 1918, yet persisted into April 1919 sporadically. About 9…
Kansas City schools reopened as the influenza epidemic waned
On Dec. 30, 1918, Kansas City schools reopened as the influenza epidemic waned. The New Year came and…
Nebraska Board of Health made influenza a mandatory quarantine disease
On Dec. 24, 1918, on Christmas Eve, with the epidemic across Nebraska still raging, the state Board of…