Jakobi Presents Historical Background on H1N1 Flu Virus

Dr. Steven Jakobi, associate professor of physical and health sciences at Alfred State College, met with members of the Alfred State Honors Program Oct. 20, 2009, to present a short historical background on the H1N1 flu virus, often called the ‘swine flu’ virus.  Jakobi put the H1N1 flu virus in the context of other flu viruses that have threatened the U.S. and the rest of the world in the 20^th century, devoting particular attention to the infamous ‘Spanish flu’ that swept the world in 1918-19, killing an estimated 20-50 million people.  While this year’s H1N1 flu virus closely resembles the 1918 flu virus, it will be several months before the true dangers of this year’s virus will be clear.