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The 1918 "Spanish flu" in Spain.
Antoni Trilla1, Guillem Trilla, Carolyn Daer
1Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer, University of Barcelona and Centre de Recerca en Salut Internacional de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. atrilla@ub.edu
Summary
The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic devastated Spain, causing an estimated 260,000 deaths and a negative population growth in 1918. Despite its name, evidence suggests the influenza A(H1N1) virus did not originate in Spain.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Historical analysis
- Public health
Background:
- The 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, a catastrophic global event, significantly impacted Spain.
- Historical records and epidemiological data are crucial for understanding the pandemic's trajectory and effects.
Observation:
- The influenza epidemic was reported in Madrid's ABC newspaper on May 22, 1918.
- Infectious disease transmission likely occurred from France due to migrant worker traffic.
- Spain experienced a negative population growth index in 1918, losing 83,121 individuals.
Findings:
- Official estimates reported 147,114 deaths in 1918, 21,235 in 1919, and 17,825 in 1920.
- Actual influenza-related fatalities in Spain likely exceeded 260,000.
- A significant mortality surge occurred during the second epidemic wave, with 45% of deaths in October 1918 alone.
Implications:
- The pandemic disproportionately affected Spain, leading to substantial demographic loss.
- Despite the name 'Spanish flu,' evidence suggests the A(H1N1) influenza virus did not originate in Spain.
- Understanding the 1918 pandemic's dynamics in Spain offers insights into historical public health crises and disease spread.
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