KILLER FLU

Learn how the 1918 flu genome is helping to answer mysteries about the flu virus, such as where it originated, why it was so virulent, and why it struck with such ferocity among presumably healthy young adults.

Molecular pathologist Jeffery Taubenberger has spent much of the past eight years immersed in the genetic analysis of the virus responsible for the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Over the centuries, humans have endured many influenza pandemics. Descriptions of the disease in Europe date back to 1100 A.D., and sporadic, isolated outbreaks have likely been occurring for many thousands of years.