THROWBACK: How influenza killed 500,000 out of 18 million Nigerians in 1918
The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. Although there is no universal consensus regarding where the virus originated, it spread worldwide between 1918-1919. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide according to the CDC. About 500,000 Nigerians, out of a population of 18million, died in less than 6 months, and between 50 and 80% of the population was stricken . The over-crowded urban centers (Yorubaland) were the hardest hit and, even though the pandemic declined almost as suddenly as it began, morbidity, mortality, and panic adversely affected the productive capacity of the country. The Influenza officially hit Lagos on 14 September 1918 (Public Record Office, London) The 1st case in Lagos was confirmed on 14 Sept. Three cre