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The Flu epidemic, which began in the early 1990s, is believed to be a man-made illness developed as a weapon in the inter-dimensional cold war depicted on the new Starz Original Series Counterpart.

Referred to as the München (Munich) virus in at least one report, the illness is described as a fever that escalated quickly and resulted in those stricken dying or spending months in hospital.

The Flu is at the heart of much of the current conflict within the ranks on the fourth floor at Dimension Two's Office of Interchange and the growing crisis in Dimension One.

Impact[]

Many high-ranking officials believe Dimension One created the disease and released it into Dimension Two through The Crossing. These D2 individuals view this as an attack and now seek revenge via a program known as Indigo. D1 Emily Burton Silk found evidence that supports this belief and presented it to D2 Management. 

Death Toll[]

Spread from swine to humans as well as from human to human, The Flu became widespread in 1996. The epidemic wiped out 7% of the human population over a period of four years despite efforts to stop the spread via quarantines at the German border.

According to population figures shown, D1 had 6,048,679,354 people in 1999 while D2 had only 5,592,724,795 meaning there were 455,954,559 fewer people in D2.

Referred to as the München (Munich) virus in at least one report, the illness is described as a fever that escalated quickly and resulted in those stricken dying or spending months in hospital.

Cultural and Legal Changes[]

Dimension Two countries have passed public health laws that make it a crime to be sick without seeking treatment. Failure to report a sick person who is not seeking treatment is also a crime.

Dimension-Two-Billboard-Failure-to-report-illness-is-a-crime-Counterpart-Season-1-Episode-4-Both-Sides-Now

Tobacco products were outlawed in European countries in 1999. While it's unknown if there is an official ban, the eating of pork is at least a social taboo in Dimension Two. It is also a social taboo to shake hands in D2.

Society has also embraced the wearing of surgical masks for both fashion and function. All children seem to carry them while many adults wear them whenever they're in public.

Technology Development[]

In general, the D2 flu epidemic resulted in a large advance in medical technology. Creator Justin Marks explains, "their medical technology is actually quite advanced and really wonderful, but smartphones, just typical electronics, are not as advanced ..."

One visible sign of the increased level of medical tech are the public "Hygiene Stations" located in various public spaces like theaters and street corners.

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