Which infectious disease was a major health concern that spurred medical advancements during World War I?

The significant health concern during World War I that spurred medical advancements was influenza. The 1918 influenza pandemic, which emerged towards the end of the war, had devastating effects worldwide, infecting about one-third of the global population and causing millions of deaths. This public health crisis prompted research into viral infections, epidemiology, and the importance of sanitation and public health measures. It highlighted the need for improved medical responses to infectious diseases and consequently fostered advancements in virology and the development of vaccines in subsequent years. The urgency created by the pandemic helped shape modern public health policies and disease surveillance systems.