Spanish influenza

Span·ish in·flu·en·za

influenza that caused several waves of pandemic in 1918-1919, resulting in more than 20 million deaths worldwide; it was particularly severe in Spain (hence the name), but now is thought to have originated in the U.S. as a form of swine influenza.

Span·ish in·flu·en·za

(span'ish in'flū-en'ză) Disease that precipitated several waves of pandemic infection during 1918 and 1919 and resulted in more than 20 million deaths worldwide. It was caused by influenza virus A; phylogenetic analysis indicates that this strain is related to subsequently observed type A human and classic swine influenzaviruses.