The 1918 influenza virus killed more individuals worldwide than world war one. it is estimated that between twenty and forty percent of the world's population across continents had become infected with the virus, leading to 50 million deaths. the 1918 influenza would best be described as which of the following? the 1918 influenza virus killed more individuals worldwide than world war one. it is estimated that between twenty and forty percent of the world's population across continents had become infected with the virus, leading to 50 million deaths. the 1918 influenza would best be described as which of the following? pandemic sporadic epidemic endemic