The exact number of deaths is still unknown.
Thousands of inhabitants of the Soviet Union died in 1977 from the influenza virus, which was rapidly spreading throughout the country. The disease was most severely endured by young people, and in its structure it was similar to a virus that infects cetaceans, so over time it was called “whale flu”.
As it turned out, the deadly virus was first recorded in the east of the country and spread throughout the USSR in a year. The disease affected only 20% of those who were over 30 years old, but young people and children often died from complications.
Due to unexpected features and a mysterious appearance around the “whale flu”, conspiracy theories began to spread. For example, Finnish virologist Kalle Saksela was convinced that the virus was created in laboratories. Western journalists believed that the USSR was preparing biological weapons and testing them.
Confirmed these theories and concealment of information. The authorities of the USSR did not tell practically anything about the epidemic, which is why the press began to publish data on millions of deaths across the country.
Over time, scientists managed to prove that the “whale flu” does not apply to biological weapons. It appeared in Southeast Asia and entered the country on fishing boats, and after the outbreak in the USSR, researchers sent samples of it to all the world’s laboratories.