The Peripatetic Plague

Ever since it made its notorious globe-girdling trip in 1918, influenza has remained the most peripatetic of plagues. A 1968 epidemic afflicted more than 30 million in the U.S. alone; similar, though considerably less serious outbreaks of the disease erupted in 1972 and 1973. Now the flu is once again making the grand tour. The disease, which causes the all too familiar headache, upset stomach, coughing and fever, has struck hard in Eastern Europe and turned up in the western part of the Continent. It has also gained a foothold in the U.S., where, although it has not yet reached the proportions of previous assaults, it has cut into school attendance and increased absenteeism in business and industry.

The virus responsible for the current outbreak is called A/Port Chalmers/1/73 because it was first isolated in 1973 in Port Chalmers, N.Z. From there, the flu has spread slowly. It turned up in Australia and later appeared in South America. By last December, the virus had surfaced in France, where flu soon accounted for 60% to 70% of doctors' house calls in the cities of Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Avignon and Toulouse. Moderate increases in flu cases have been reported in other Western European countries.

American Debut. The flu has reached epidemic proportions in Eastern Europe. Two weeks ago, Radio Budapest announced that the disease had affected 1.3 million, or 9% of Hungary's population. Czech authorities reported that about 900,000 were afflicted in their country; Bulgaria acknowledged 655,000 cases, Yugoslavia 50,000. Last month the flu raged through Moscow, causing some deaths.

The new flu made its American debut in Atlanta toward the end of last year. Since then, it has spread north and west. Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas have been hardest hit thus far, and health authorities reported a recent upsurge in flu cases in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. Some fear that the worst is yet to come. In New York City, health authorities believe that the number of cases could rise rapidly within the next few weeks.

Thus far, at least, the 1974-75 flu has claimed few lives. The U.S. Public Health Service's Center for Disease Control in Atlanta reports that a check of 121 cities reveals that influenza has caused only 578 excess deaths* so far this season, mostly from complications. This year's total is far below the 2,200 fatalities attributed to the 1972-73 outbreak. But the CDC still urges caution.

Those who have already been immunized have a good chance of avoiding this year's ailment. Those who are afflicted are advised to seek prompt treatment, which includes bed rest and copious quantities of fluids.

* Those above the number that would normally be expected from such flu-related diseases as pneumonia.

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