Patterns of Influenza Pandemics (Part 1)

The real danger of influenza virus is their capacity to change… seemingly at random. This unique and perplexing characteristic makes it near impossible to make a universal influenza vaccine. New vaccines have to be made annually for seasonally flu and periodically for influenza pandemics.

But some have postulated that there could be a pattern to the periodic occurrences of influenza pandemics. Looking at the occurrences of pandemics over the last century an 11 year cycle can be glimpsed between major pandemics. It can also be seen that there is a larger cycle that occurs every 50 or so. Possibly reflecting the period of time taken for the various influenza strains to pass through the population and the time taken for all the immunities within the population to die out.

For more information look at:
http://www.swine-flu-facts.org/
http://www.swine-flu-facts.info/