Except Spanish Flu never came from Spain. It was named that because the King of Spain caught it.
I have a couple of questions that I’m hoping some smart medical Freepers can provide guidance on....
1. Don’t all flu viruses have their origins in birds? The following article is just one of many that make this point. Although they aren’t totally definitive by using the word ‘probably’, they otherwise are fairly resolved that flus come from birds….and it would appear that if there is a slight crack of indisposition, they would at least seem to be firm that it all comes from animals. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4135122/ns/health-infectious_diseases/t/asia-traditional-cradle-influenza/#.XnU5HaHsans
2. Don’t all flus start in Asia? Has there ever been a case of a flu where it has absolutely been confirmed that it didn’t start in Asia?
The dominant theory behind “Spanish” flu is it began on a Kansas farm with swine and geese in proximity, then spread to a nearby Army fort, then to Europe on troopships.
“Except Spanish Flu never came from Spain. It was named that because the King of Spain caught it.”
IIRC, it was called “Spanish Flu” because Spain was the first non-combatant WWI nation it reached, and they reported it in their press. Reporting on it by newspapers in the US, UK, Germany, etc., was censored because it impacted military capabilities.