A global killer that eludes capture by changing its coat, influenza is one of the world’s most intractable viruses and consuming public health challenges. It infects 5–15% of the world’s population and kills up to about half a million people each year; a figure that rose to many millions in the three major flu pandemic outbreaks that have occurred in the past century. In a single year in 1918, flu claimed more than five times the number of lives than were lost during the World War that preceded it. Read More
