Kathmandu. Coronavirus cases have widely increased in the past few weeks. Many countries in Europe have already went into lockdown. Scientists and experts have predicted that the pandemic could take a bigger shape in winter season. They have advised to take learnings from the Spanish Flu, also called the 1918 flu pandemic, which took place 100 years ago.

According to an article published in History.com, it has been mentioned that the second wave of the Spanish Flu caused more deaths than the first one. It was caused by ‘A H1N1’ virus and spread out in three waves. The first wave was deadly and the scientists have warned to take extra precautions and learn from this hundred year old pandemic.

Countries including Italy and UK have announced a lockdown following the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Few countries around the world have been able to control the virus. The people in today’s time are aware and have access to information regarding the virus through various mediums, which helped to adopt health precautions. When the Spanish Flu hit 100 years ago, the public did not have an access to such crucial information regarding the pandemic.

According to an article in CNN, it is said that around 50-100 million i.e. one-third of the world’s population was killed by the Spanish Flu. Around 50% of the people affected by the flu belonged to the 20-40 age group. The second wave came in 1918 and the third in 1919. Till date, the place of the first outbreak has not been agreed upon.

The Spanish flu took more lives during the winter. It started in the summer and took a deadly turn in winter. Researchers have claimed that due to less humidity in the dry season, it could cause an increase in the risk of COVID-19 spread.