What are the Deadliest Pandemic Diseases to Ever Occur?
Diseases, which are infectious and transferable from person to person refers to the pandemic. Such diseases occur over a large geographical area, probably the entire world. When people hear about the deadliest diseases, they start thinking of incurable and fast-acting diseases.
Some of the deadliest pandemic diseases ever occur over the ages, namely the Spanish Flu, Smallpox, and more. Many of these deadliest diseases have had tremendous impacts on human society. From killing large percentages of the population across the world to causing humans to consider some questions about life, these diseases changed human history. Check out the list of deadliest pandemic diseases to ever occur and acknowledge some of the facts regarding such pandemic.
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The Spanish Flu c 1918 AD
It is one of the deadliest pandemic diseases that killed off around 5% of the world population. According to resources, the H1N1 influenza virus was the primary cause behind the spread of the disease. Not only the unclear areas, but The Spanish flu c 1918 AD infected about 500 million people across the globe. The poor wartime nutrition plus confined conditions of soldiers experienced by people during World War I enhanced this flu spread.
What is the Reason Behind the Name Spanish Flu?
Due to the name Spanish Flu, many people believe that it started in Spain. However, it’s not the fact as Spain was a neutral nation at the time of World War. Additionally, the nation did not impose harsh censorship of its news sources, which might freely publish early accounts of the illness. As a result, people start believing that the illness was first spread in Spain, hence the Spanish Flu.
The Spanish flu c 1918 AD came to an end by the summer of 1919 as people infected either passed away or developed immunity.
Black Death c 1347 AD
Black death infected most of Asia and Europe during the Middle Ages. Another name of this disease is Bubonic plague. Black death c 1347 AD killed around 100 to 200 million people. Bacterium Yersinia Pestis is acknowledged to be the cause for the spread of this disease. The bacteria spread is through the fleas on infected rodents. Some sources suggest that the bodies of plague victims were buried in mass graves.
People at that time did not understand the biology behind Black Death. Many believed that this deadliest disease was some kind of divine punishment. They believe that the only way to overcome the Black death c 1347 AD was to win God’s forgiveness. Some people also thought that the way to get relief from this pandemic was to free their communities of disbelievers and other troublemakers.
Smallpox c 10000 BC
The initial traces of smallpox were found in Egypt. This pandemic disease has killed an enormous number of people. Smallpox c 10000 BC is caused by two types of viruses: Variola Major and Variola Minor. Symptoms of this disease involve fluid-filled blisters, which might result in substantial scarring over the entire body, fever, and in some cases, blindness. Some sources suggest that this disease claimed the lives of about 90% of the entire population in the Americas. This pandemic helped Europeans take over and develop the new areas, changing America’s history and the global economy.
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The major risk factor for getting infected by smallpox was close contact with another infected person. The ejected virus-contaminated droplets in sneeze or cough were enough to cause a healthy person to suffer from Smallpox c 10000 BC. The incubation period for this disease is quite long as compared to other viruses. About one-third of a person suffering from this deadliest disease died due to infection. However, in today’s time, it is possible to prevent smallpox by the vaccine. Professional health researchers use a virus named vaccina to make the smallpox vaccine. The healthcare experts do not recommend this vaccination for the general population. Currently, it is only for certain laboratory and personnel workers who handle this deadliest disease.
Some Facts
The deadliest pandemic diseases, which affect a large proportion of the population, can be caused by numerous factors. These slow and come to an end with time through efficient and protective strategies. It involves the development of a vaccine or improved personal hygiene. However, some pandemics occur in waves such that another disease spread may follow the diminished activity of a certain disease.
FAQs on Deadliest Pandemic Diseases to Ever Occur
1. How Did the Black Death c 1347 AD Spread?
Ans: The Black Death is thought to have been initiated over 2000 years ago in Asia. The disease was probably spread by trading ships. According to some research, the pathogen responsible for this deadliest disease may have existed as early as 3000 BC in Europe. The disease was frighteningly efficient and might cause a perfectly healthy person sleeping at night dead by the morning. Black Death is spread by a bacillus named Yersinia pestis, which travels through the air. It also travels by the bite of infected fleas and even rats. Both of these pests were on on-board ships of various types, due to which this disease made its way through one European city to another.
2. How Did People Fight Against the Spanish Flu c 1918 AD?
Ans: The scientists and doctors were unsure what caused the Spanish Flu. There were no such antivirals or vaccines at that time to treat this pandemic disease. Hospitals in some areas were overloaded with patients whose private homes, buildings, and even schools were converted into hospitals. Officials in some communities ordered to shut down public places, quarantines and made it compulsory to wear masks. People were advised to stay indoors, avoid handshakes, and some regulations were passed to ban spit. The first vaccine for The Spanish flu appeared in America in the 1940s. By the following period, manufacturers of the vaccine routinely produce the flu vaccine to prevent future pandemics.
