WATCH: When Spanish Flu struck Schenectady back in 1918, officals shut the city down - including schools, and churches. Social distancing became a way of life, just like we see today. Watch the full documentary: https://bit.ly/3aCyuSs | WRGB CBS 6 News, Albany

1918. World War I was still raging. Then another threat emerged. The Spanish Flu pandemic spread across the globe with devastating speed. In just two years, it infected approximately 500 million people—one-third of the world's population at that time. An estimated 50 million people died, though some historians believe the number reached 100 million. Unlike typical influenza, this strain killed healthy young adults in their prime. Hospitals were completely overwhelmed. Entire communities lost doz

A century ago, celebrations marking the end of the First World War were cut short by the onslaught of a devastating disease - the 1918-19 influenza pandemic. It became known as 'Spanish Flu' after its effects were reported in Spanish newspapers, but rapidly spread across the globe to become one of the worst natural disasters in human history. Explore what we have learnt about Spanish Flu, the urgent threat posed by influenza today and how scientists are preparing for future pandemics in our new