By Prof Tjandra Yoga Aditama
First, November 1 has been celebrated throughout the world as World Flu Day since 2018 at an international symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. The number of patients from the 1918 Pandemic was up to 500 million people with 20 to 50 million deaths. The number of people who died as a result of the 1918 pandemic is estimated to be more than those who died as a result of the first world war.
Second, after the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, there were five major incidents due to influenza, namely in 1957-1958 caused by the H2N2 influenza A virus, 1968 caused by the H3N2 influenza A virus and in 2009 caused by the H1N1pdm09 influenza A virus. Apart from that, in 1977 there was also an increase in cases due to the H1N1 influenza A virus which was referred to as a “pseudo pandemic”.
Third, if there is a future pandemic then one possibility is that it will be caused by another infection, and perhaps also zoonosis, which originates from animals.
Fourth, the 1918 flu pandemic started with a mild first wave and then came the next wave which was very contagious. This means that even though the current increase in cases cannot be called an epidemic, we still have to be vigilant.
Fifth, currently, in 2025 WHO states that every year around 1 billion people in the world will be affected by influenza, of which 3 to 5 million will experience serious illness. It was also stated that influenza causes 290,000 to 650,000 deaths a year, so this is quite a large number.
Sixth, the aim of commemorating World Flu Day is to increase people’s understanding of influenza in various countries around the world, increase scientific research for universal availability of flu vaccines and spur global cooperation for the prevention and control of influenza.
Seventh, WHO states that vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza. We hope that the government can facilitate the provision of flu vaccines to our citizens who need them, as has been done in several of our neighboring countries.
*) Prof Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Director of Postgraduate Studies at YARSI University / Adjunct Professor Griffith University Brisbane Australia, Chair of the Honorary Council of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), bRecipient of the MURI April 2024 Record, Recipient of the Paramakarya Paramahusada Award 2024, Association of Hospitals throughout Indonesia and Recipient, Achmad Bakrie XXI Award 2025
