The 1977 Russian flu was an influenzapandemic that was first reported by the Soviet Union in 1977 and lasted until 1979.[1][2] The outbreak in northern China started in May 1977, slightly earlier than that in the Soviet Union.[3][4] The pandemic mostly affected a population younger than 25 or 26 years of age,[1][5][6] and was described as mild.[6] It was caused by an H1N1 flu strain which highly resembled a virus strain circulating worldwide from 1946 to 1957.[1][2][5][6]
^ abcInfluenza pandemic preparedness plan : the role of WHO and guidelines for national and regional planning, Geneva, Switzerland, April 1999 (Report). World Health Organization. April 1999. pp. 38, 41. hdl:10665/66155.
^ abcGregg MB, Hinman AR, Craven RB (November 1978). "The Russian flu. Its history and implications for this year's influenza season". JAMA. 240 (21): 2260–3. doi:10.1001/jama.240.21.2260. PMID702749.