Right now World is facing one of the disastrous pandemics. Coronavirus has shaken the whole world and is not in a mood to leave anyone. Coronavirus has become a big threat to nations across the globe. Each one of them is trying something extraordinary to cope up with this virus. In order to reduce its effects on the people, their ruling bodies are coming forward with the plans and preparations for their citizens to get rid of them.
Even though Science has made huge progress because of which there is a vaccine for almost all of them, but there are some underdeveloped countries in the rural areas who are completely clueless about these diseases. Many of these diseases can be prevented by educating, public awareness and health practices. Making the scenario watchful we have come up with the list of Top Pandemics that shook the world.
Here we bring to you some of the pandemics that have occurred over the years:
#13 SARS (2002-2003)
SARS occurred from China in the period 2002-2003. It was spread worldwide within a few months of emission, but it was contained in a short span of time. It could not harm many populations as the precautionary measures were taken very rapidly by the people.
SARS is a virus that transmits through droplets that enter the atmosphere when a person sneezes, coughs or talks. It also spreads by touching a contaminated area, shaking hands, by saliva. It affected almost 26 countries and resulted in almost 8000 cases worldwide.
#12 SwineFlu (2009-2010):
Swine flu occurred from January 2009 to August 2010. First, it was witnessed in April 2009, when it was spread from triple reassortment of bird, swine flu and human virus further converted into Eurasian pig flu virus.
WHO estimated that there were around 18,036 deaths and it was estimated that around 20-21% of the world population was affected. During that period WHO reported that around 250,000 to 500,000 died because of seasonal flu annually. Its first outbreak was in North America. Confirmed cases were around 700 million to 1.4 billion.
#11 Tuberculosis
This is a contagious disease caused by bacteria which mainly infects the lungs and also later affects the organs as well. The symptoms of this disease involve fever, sweating, fatigue and weight loss. This may show up right away or in some cases it takes years.
In the year 2011, there was a death toll of 1.4 million people died due to this disease. Prevention is done on vaccinating infants who are mostly at the increased risk of being exposed and also of those who are with TB.
#10 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
This disease is commonly known as COPD that severely affects the lungs which makes the person very hard to breathe. This disease can take two forms i.e chronic bronchitis which involves long-term coughing and emphysema that destroys the lungs. This is mainly caused by smoking almost killing 3.5 million people every year and is considered to be one of the most deadly diseases.
#9 AIDS
HIV Aids is an abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This disease completely weakens the stamina and immunity of the person to such an extent. that he/she cannot fight simple diseases like the cold. After the T-cells of the body are killed, full-fledged AIDS is developed. This disease has caused almost 1.7 million lives every year. Though there is no vaccine for this the only way to keep yourself away from this disease is getting properly educated on protecting yourself. This disease is one of the deadliest types of diseases.
#8 Ebola
EBOLA affected mostly Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, which resulted in the loss of life and socioeconomic disruption in the regions. It was the most widely spread virus at that time.
The first case was recorded in 2013 in Guinea and later it spread to the other two areas. The final number of patients recorded was 28,616 people that includes 11,310 deaths. The number of cases gradually increased in October 2014 but then it decreased gradually.
WHO gave all the precautionary measures to the areas affected to fight with this epidemic and resulted in the downfall of this dangerous virus. Liberia was the most affected place out of this virus resulting in 10,675 cases that include 4,809 deaths.
#7 Ischemic Heart Disease
This heart disease occurs when the heart does not receive an ample supply of blood on account of blocking the arteries. If it is left unnoticed it causes heart failures leading to death. The risk factors here are high blood pressure and diabetes.
Almost a count fo 7 million people die every year due to this disease. Ischemic heart disease is easily curable if we exercise, avoid smoking, wat healthy food and getting regular screenings. Also, maintain proper fitness and control your eating habits especially if you are a diabetic patient. Hence it is still marked as one of the most deadly diseases in the world.
#6 Cholera
Cholera is a watery and painless Diarrhea leading to dehydration and death. Apart from smelly Diarrhea and dehydration, it also causes vomiting, wrinkled skin, dry mouth, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure.
This disease is generally transmitted by water containing the causative bacteria Vibrio Cholera. Contaminated food like raw selfishness might transmit this disease. The first Cholera pandemic started in the year 1817.
The epidemic began the city of Calcutta and then spread worldwide. Cholera is one of the most dangerous diseases which killed thousands of people worldwide. From southeast Asia to the Middle East, eastern Africa and the Mediterranean coast.
#5 Spanish Flu
The Spanish flu is another pandemic that the world witnessed in the year 1918 also known as the 1918 flu pandemic. Spanish flu is one of the most deadliest and dangerous diseases in the world.
Spanish Flu includes respiratory trouble, shortness of breath along with high fever cough and cold and headache. In most of the flu, we have noticed that the older people or children get mostly affected but in Spanish flu, it was the young adults who got mostly infected resulting in death.
Spanish flu infected 500 million become across the world, which is about one-third of the planet’s population and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million people among which 675,000 were Americans. The Spanish flu was initially observed in Europe, the United States and parts of Asia and gradually started to spread globally.
At that time no drugs or vaccines were discovered so people were masks and all educational centers business theatre were shuttered. To date, the Spanish Flu is noted to be the most dangerous disease in the world.
#4 Plague
Plague is an infectious disease caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is one of the most dangerous diseases the world has ever come across. It killed 75 to 200 million people in Eurasia. It was the most devastating pandemic in human history. Rodents and fleas carried this disease and affected Europe and Asia.
The symptoms of this disease include fever, weakness, headache along with tumors like growth in the armpit and groin, some of them grew a size of an apple and in many cases, they had a size of an egg. Not only that plague causes blacking of the skin along with spots on various parts of the body along with vomiting of blood. Most people die between two to seven days of initial infection.”
It is said to plague takes three forms. At the first people suffer an infection of the lungs which leads to breathing difficulties. Whoever has this corruption or contamination to any extent cannot escape but will die within two days.
Another form in which boils erupt under the armpits, a third form in which people of both sexes are attacked in the groin.” Plague or black death is estimated to have killed 30-60% of Europe’s population and considered to be one of the dangerous diseases of the world.
#3 MERS
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS is spread by camels and bats. Till date, many countries are affected by it that includes Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. According to June 2014, WHO reported that around 274 laboratories confirmed cases have been witnessed of such virus. Most of the patients reported tons of breathing with fever cough. Every 3 or 4 patients out of 10 are reported with MERS. It can also be spread with the people sitting close to the affected person.
#2 Hanta Virus
Another most dangerous disease in the world is Hantavirus. Hantavirus is not a newly discovered virus, it has been affecting people for decades but was in a dormant state for a while. But recently a man from china’s Yunnan province died from Hantavirus.
It has been known that hantavirus mainly spreads from rodents. Hantaviruses in the Americas are known as “New World” hantaviruses and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Other hantaviruses, known as “Old World” hantaviruses, are found mostly in Europe and Asia and may cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS),” as known from the CDC website. The Hantavirus hit the world at a time when the world is sinking in Coronavirus.
#1 Corona Virus
Coronavirus is a newly discovered virus that has brought a pandemic to the world. It is an infectious virus originated from china, spreading vigorously all over the world. People fighting against COVID-19 suffer from respiratory problems, fever, body ache and dry cough.
Older people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory problems will develop a serious illness, leading to death. The only way to prevent this disease is to wash hands with sanitizer and avoid human touch. It has become one of the most dangerous diseases in the world.
Currently, 25,035 people have died globally which includes countries like Italy, the US, Spain, France, India and many more. No vaccines or treatment of Coronavirus have been discovered so far, but doctors and scientists are trying to find a way out and there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatment.