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Characteristics of previous pandemics in the twentieth century
| Pandemic | “Spanish flu” 1918 | “Asian flu” 1957 | “Hong Kong flu” 1968 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strain | A(H1N1) | A(H2N2) | A(H3N2) |
| Year | 1918–1919 | 1957–1958 | 1968–1969 |
| Likely origin | Not known (1st cases in Europe & US) | China | China |
| Estimated deaths | |||
| Global | 20–40 million | 1 million | 1–4 million |
| UK | 250,000 | 33,000 | 30,000 (Eng & Wales) |
| Groups most affected | 20–40 years | School children & elderly | Elderly |
