The 1957 pandemic of influenza in India.

Asian influenza appears to have reached India via Madras in May 1957. The main pandemic wave swept through the subcontinent within the next 12 weeks; cases occurring thereafter represent the permanent infiltration of the new virus into the population. Between 19 May 1957 and 8 February 1958 there were reported 4 451 758 cases, with 1098 deaths. The author discusses the attack-rates by age-group, by occupational group, by State and in closed communities such as schools. The disease, in India as elsewhere, seems generally to have run a mild course, although nausea and vomiting and symptoms related to the nervous system were relatively frequently seen.A number of A/Asia/57 virus strains were isolated; their antigenic and biological characteristics are discussed in some detail. In view of the rapid spread of the pandemic, it proved impossible to prepare sufficient vaccine from the new strains in time for adequate field trials or mass immunization of the population.The author reports briefly on the results obtained with iodine in the prevention and treatment of influenza.