Swine Flu History

Influenza viruses are small RNA viruses that infect many mammals, including humans, birds, and swine. Until 2009, swine influenza predominately affected swine and was not transmitted often or easily to people.

Even in the isolated instances in which swine influenza infected people, it had very limited ability to spread from person to person. Most cases of swine influenza in people were directly linked to contact with swine through farming or at fairs.

Although it is usually a mild disease, there have been deaths reported from human infection with swine influenza.

In 1979, there was an unusual outbreak of swine influenza at Fort Dix, New Jersey. One recruit died, and approximately 12 were hospitalized with influenza.

Further testing showed that more than 200 recruits had acquired the virus, although most had few or no symptoms.