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In this Oct. 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, St. Louis Red Cross Motor Corps personnel wear masks as they hold stretchers next to ambulances in preparation for victims of the influenza epidemic. A century after one of history鈥檚 most catastrophic disease outbreaks, scientists are rethinking how to guard against another super-flu like the 1918 influenza that slaughtered tens of millions as it swept the globe in mere months.

In this 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, volunteer nurses from the American Red Cross tend to influenza patients in the Oakland Municipal Auditorium, used as a temporary hospital. As scientists mark the 100th anniversary of the Spanish influenza pandemic, labs around the country are hunting better vaccines to boost protection against ordinary winter flu and guard against future pandemics, too.

Demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington, D.C., during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

The pages of the Fort Morgan Times in December 1918 featured many announcements like this one of a local resident dying due to influenza during the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918. (Fort Morgan Museum collection/Courtesy image)

In this Nov. 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, a nurse takes the pulse of a patient in the influenza ward of the Walter Reed hospital in Washington. Historians think the pandemic started in Kansas in early 1918, and by winter 1919 the virus had infected a third of the global population and killed at least 50 million people, including 675,000 Americans. Some estimates put the toll as high as 100 million. By comparison, the AIDS virus has claimed 35 million lives over four decades.

The pages of the Fort Morgan Times in December 1918 featured many announcements like this one of a local resident dying due to pneumonia. The deaths likely were the result of contracting the Spanish flu in 1918.

In this 1918-1919 photo made available by the Library of Congress, a conductor checks to see if potential passengers are wearing masks in Seattle, Wash. During the influenza epidemic, masks were required for all passengers. The virus killed at least 50 million people, including 675,000 Americans. Some estimates put the toll as high as 100 million. By comparison, the AIDS virus has claimed 35 million lives over four decades. (Library of Congress via AP)

A doctor innoculates Major Peters of Boston against the Spanish Influenza virus during the epidemic, c. 1918.

This 2005 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows recreated 1918 influenza virions that were collected from a 1918 cell culture. A century after one of history鈥檚 most catastrophic disease outbreaks, scientists are rethinking how to guard against another super-flu like the 1918 influenza that slaughtered tens of millions as it swept the globe in mere months. Although there's no way to predict what strain of the shape-shifting flu virus could trigger another pandemic, researchers hope they're finally closing in on stronger flu shots, which would boost much-needed protection against ordinary winter influenza and guard against future pandemics at the same time. (Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC via AP)

American ward at the Fourth Scottish General Hospital in Glasgow. Most of the patients are influenza cases from incoming convoys. The Red Cross has a staff of American officers and women visitors who look after their welfare, and there is a large warehouse full of comforts and luxuries for the boys. November 1918.

The Red Cross Emergency Ambulance station of the District of Columbia Chapter is usually a busy place. But during the influenza epidemic of the autumn of 1918 it was worked over time, 1918.

Interior of Red Cross House at U.S. General Hospital #16, New Haven, Conn. during the influenza epidemic. The beds are isolated by curtains, 1918 or 1919.

Two American Red Cross nurses demonstrating treatment practices during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

Masked doctors and nurses treat flu patients lying on cots and in outdoor tents at a hospital camp during the influenza epidemic of 1918.

An American policeman wearing a 'Flu Mask' to protect himself from the outbreak of Spanish flu following World War I.

A patient wearing a flu mask during the flu epidemic which followed the First World War.

A man spraying the top of a bus with an anti-flu virus during an epidemic which followed World War I.

Two women wearing flu masks during the flu epidemic which followed the First World War.

circa 1937: A miner at the Houghton Main Colliery, Yorkshire, has an anti-flu gargle after work, in front of a notice that advises him to do so, to avoid the serious epidemic that has effected miners at many neighbouring collieries. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

22nd October 1934: Two young cadets at the Royal Nautical School, Portishead, Somerset, gargling as a preventative measure against an influenza epidemic. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

The staff at the National Physics Laboratory at Teddington are busy testing thermometers to cope with the demand during the influenza epidemic.

circa 1940: Actress Molly Lamont receiving her orange 'rations' from a sergeant at Elstree Studios, London. It is being advised that everyone eat three oranges a day following a 'flu epidemic, which has claimed over 200 victims at the studios. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Court is held outdoors in a park due to the Influenza Epidemic, San Francisco, 1918.

The congregation praying on the steps of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, where they gathered to hear mass and pray during the influenza epidemic, San Francisco, California.

Women from the Department of War take 15-minute walks to breathe in fresh air every morning and night to ward off the influenza virus during World War I, c. 1918.