Asian Influenza in New Haven, 1957-1958: An Epidemiological Survey †

The appearance of the new Asian influenza virus in early 1957 and its subsequent rapid spread throughout the world stimulated renewed interest in the epidemiology of influenza. For the first time since identification of the etiologic agents of this disease the opportunity presented itself for study of its pandemic form by specific microbiological tests. The results of a number of such studies concerning various epidemiological aspects of Asian influenza have now been published.8' 5 8, 1, 2, U2 s The study on which this report is based provided information which further documented attack rates and other epidemiological features of Asian influenza. In addition, some data were obtained concerning the relationship of certain local socio-economic factors to the pandemic.