Researchers says that Genes Linked To Deadly 1918 Flu

Scientists have discovered a gene combination that made the 1918 Spanish flu so deadly.

That outbreak infected up to 500 million people worldwide, and was blamed on the deaths of up to 30 million people.

The discovery by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers could help health officials deal with a similar outbreak in the future.

Most flu viruses attack the upper respiratory system, but the 1918 strain attacked the lungs, which caused primary pneumonia in its victims, said the report's co-author Yoshihiro Kawaoka.

The researchers said they hope the gene combination could lead to new anti-viral drugs that could be used to quickly get a handle on future influenza pandemics, Agence France Presse reported.