Vaccination News Home Page

http://www.flustar.com/news_story.asp?id=22

Corpse from 1918 to Unravel Influenza Mystery

December 13, 2002

Corpse from 1918 to Unravel Influenza Mystery
A virologist in London searched thousands of burial records looking for a victim of the 1918 influenza pandemic. He found Ms. Phyllis Burn. Ms. Burn was buried in a lead-lined coffin. This method of preservation provides conditions that can keep a corpse in an almost-perfect state for 150 years. After church and health authorities give the go-ahead to disinter her remains, scientists can study her remains and learn about the DNA sequence for the strain of flu that killed thousands.

Author: AFP, Paris
Publication: The Straits Times
 


 

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.