Open AccessSpanish flu epidemic in 1918 in Geneva, Switzerland
Author(s) -
Catherine Ammon
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
euro surveillance/eurosurveillance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.766
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1560-7917
pISSN - 1025-496X
DOI - 10.2807/esm.07.12.00391-en
Subject(s) - outbreak , pandemic , preparedness , environmental health , socioeconomic status , human mortality from h5n1 , medicine , influenza pandemic , population , covid-19 , demography , geography , virology , political science , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , sociology , pathology , law
In Geneva, Switzerland, the Spanish flu epidemic affected more than 50% of the population. The mortality was higher among those aged between 20–49 years and among men. The socioeconomic impact was very important, as the outbreak led to severe dysfunctions, including in health services. This epidemic shows the socio-economical burden that may be associated with influenza and highlights the need for pandemic preparedness.