title: Epidemiology of the Hong Kong-68 variant of influenza A2 in Britain.
abstract: Two influenza epidemics in Britain in 1968-9 and 1969-70, were due to the Hong Kong/68 variant of influenza A2 virus. The first epidemic was prolonged with low morbidity and mortality rates; the second was sharp with high rates. The difference between total morbidity and mortality in the two epidemics, however, was less than it appeared to be-the estimated excess morbidity and mortality due to all causes in 1969-70 was only about 50% greater than in 1968-9.Antibody studies showed that about one-quarter of two groups of adults investigated were infected in the first epidemic and about one-third in the second. After the two epidemics about one-third still had no antibody to the A2/Hong Kong/68 virus.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies