Closing schools reduced flu deaths in 1918, researchers say
WASHINGTON -- Cities that quickly closed schools and discouraged public gatherings had fewer deaths from the great flu pandemic in 1918 than cities that did not, researchers reported on Monday.
Decisive, immediate action can reduce the most acute effects of a pandemic, while allowing the population to build some natural immunity to the virus, the U.S. government study found.
Experts agree that a pandemic of some virus, most likely influenza, is almost 100 percent certain. What is not certain is when it will strike and which virus it will be.
The worst-case scenario is the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed tens of millions of people globally. Researchers are going through records to learn from the actions taken decades ago.
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Decisive, immediate action can reduce the most acute effects of a pandemic, while allowing the population to build some natural immunity to the virus, the U.S. government study found.
Experts agree that a pandemic of some virus, most likely influenza, is almost 100 percent certain. What is not certain is when it will strike and which virus it will be.
The worst-case scenario is the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed tens of millions of people globally. Researchers are going through records to learn from the actions taken decades ago.