<p>"While no two pandemics are the same, the study of the past can help us discover where to look for our own vulnerabilities and how to best prepare for future outbreaks. To begin to do that, though, we need to reassess past epidemics with all the evidence we can.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img alt="The Conversation" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/175461/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" style="height:1px; margin:0 !important; width:1px" />"</p>