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Covid-19 was not the first pandemic in Switzerland. The «Russian flu» broke out in 1890 and the «Spanish flu» raged in 1918. The «Asian flu» followed in 1957. But we know very little about past pandemics. Switzerland has a disaster memory gap here. We go in search of clues in data stories.

Spanische Grippe in Zürich

The «Spanish flu» in Zurich 1918–1920

Meetings are banned, hospitals are overcrowded and artists need financial support. However, the year is not 2020 and the pandemic is not called Corona.

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Die «Asiatische Grippe» 1957–1958

The «Asian flu» 1957–1958

In July 1957, a few suspected cases of influenza from Schaffhausen are reported to the Federal Health Office in Bern - nothing to worry about. But the situation was initially underestimated.

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Die «Asiatische Grippe» 1957–1958

Telling the story of the «Spanish flu» in Zurich

Between July and December 1918, 2370 Zurich residents died from the «Spanish flu». More than in any other flu pandemic. Why the «Spanish flu» has nevertheless not remained in the collective memory.

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