Was Covid 1889 Botswana's First Viral Pandemic?

Between 1889 and 1890 the “Influenza” spread not just throughout Eurasia, but also across the Americas and Africa, ultimately killing about one million people worldwide.

The effects of the virus were first reported in Bukhara, located in what was then part of the Russian Empire (now in Uzbekistan), in May of 1889, where up to two thirds of the local population are said to have perished. While the pandemic’s lethal impact is believed to have been greatest between October 1889 – December 1890, there were further global outbreaks in March – June 1891, November 1891 – June 1892, the winter 1893–1894 and early 1895.