There have been 6 major influenza pandemics, typically named after the presumed location of origin: 1889: Russian influenza (H2N2) 1900: Old Hong Kong influenza (H3N8) 1918: Spanish influenza (H1N1) 1957: Asian influenza (H2N2) 1968: Hong Kong influenza (H3N2) 2009: Swine influenza (influenza A [H1N1] pdm09) In 2009 - 2010 an H1N1 flu pandemic occurred—the virus spread to > 70 countries and to all 50 US states.