Where did the 1918 flu originated?

Where did the 1918 flu originated?

Some medical historians and epidemiologists have theorized that the 1918 pandemic began in Asia, citing a lethal outbreak of pulmonary disease in China as the forerunner of the pandemic. Others have speculated the virus was spread by Chinese or Vietnamese laborers either crossing the United States or working in France.

Can viruses be used as biological weapons?

Biological weapons are microorganisms like virus, bacteria, fungi, or other toxins that are produced and released deliberately to cause disease and death in humans, animals or plants. Bioterrorism attacks could also result in an epidemic, for example if Ebola or Lassa viruses were used as the biological agents.

Was Ebola a biological weapon?

The filoviruses, Marburg and Ebola, are classified as Category A biowarfare agents by the Centers for Disease Control. Most known human infections with these viruses have been fatal, and no vaccines or effective therapies are currently available.

Who first used biological warfare?

One of the first recorded uses of biological warfare occurred in 1347, when Mongol forces are reported to have catapulted plague-infested bodies over the walls into the Black Sea port of Caffa (now Feodosiya, Ukraine), at that time a Genoese trade centre in the Crimean Peninsula.

Did ww2 use biological weapons?

MODERN BIOLOGICAL WARFARE. During World War I, Germany used biological warfare (BW) agents for sabotage. During World War II, many countries tried to acquire a BW capability. Among them were the USA, Russia, the UK, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Hungary [2].

Did Genghis Khan use biological warfare?

In 1346, during the siege of Caffa (now Feodossia, Crimea) the attacking Tartar Forces (subjugated by the Mongol empire under Genghis Khan more than a century ago), used the bodies of Mongol warriors of the Golden Horde who had died of plague, as weapons.

What remedies did doctors use for the plague?

Some of the cures they tried included:

  • Rubbing onions, herbs or a chopped up snake (if available) on the boils or cutting up a pigeon and rubbing it over an infected body.
  • Drinking vinegar, eating crushed minerals, arsenic, mercury or even ten-year-old treacle!