Influenza in California During 1947 and 1948

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two statewide epidemics of Influenza A which occurred in California in 1947 and 1948 were studied. Virus strains isolated differed markedly from earlier Type A strains. This was demonstrated by cross agglutination-inhibition tests with ferret antisera and by comparing the distribution of antibody in the sera of normal individuals, influenza patients and vaccinated persons. Antibody responses to the new strains were poor in 2 groups, one vaccinated with an "old," the other with a "new" vaccine. The latter included a 1947 strain (FM1). The implications of this marked strain variation from the standpoints of epidemiology, serodiagnosis, and prophylaxis are discussed.