What are some pandemics that have occured in history?
There have been many pandemics in history, but these are the worst 5 in history.
There have been many pandemics in history, but these are the worst 5 in history.
1) Smallpox
Smallpox is a very contagious disease unique to humans. Smallpox is caused by the following two forms, Variola minor or Variola major. The deadlier form of the two is, Variola major. The mortality rate of Variola major is 30-35% while Vaiola minor only causes a milder form of the disease called Alastrim and kills only ~1% of its victims.The long-term side-effects for survivors of Smallpox include skin scars, occasionally there could be blindness due to corneal ulcerations and infertility in male survivors.
Smallpox is a very contagious disease unique to humans. Smallpox is caused by the following two forms, Variola minor or Variola major. The deadlier form of the two is, Variola major. The mortality rate of Variola major is 30-35% while Vaiola minor only causes a milder form of the disease called Alastrim and kills only ~1% of its victims.The long-term side-effects for survivors of Smallpox include skin scars, occasionally there could be blindness due to corneal ulcerations and infertility in male survivors.
2) Spanish Flu(1918-1919)
The Spanish Flu was just a more severe version of your typical seasonal flu. Some symptoms of the Sapnish Flu would be a sore throat, headache and fever. The disease progressed quickly in many patients , the patients would have extreme chills and fatigues were often accompanied by fluids in the lungs. The deadly pandemic came and went like a flash. More than half a million people died in the U.S. alone and worldwide more than 50 million.
3) Black Death (1340 – 1771)
The Black Death had three forms, the Bubonic, Pneumonic, and Septicemic. Each form of plague killed many people in diabolical ways. All of the forms were caused by a bacterium called Yersinia Pestis.
The Bubonic plague was the most common form of the Black Death. The mortality rate of the Bubonic plague form was 30-75%. The symptoms of the Bubonic plague was mainly enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes, around the arm pits, neck and groin area. The term 'bubonic' refers to the characteristic bubo or enlarged lymphatic gland. The victims of the Bubonic would get nausea, vomiting, aching in the joints, fever of 101-105 degrees and a general feeling of illness. The Symptoms of the Bubonic plague will appear in 1-7 days from the time of contact.
The Pneumonic plague was the second most common form of the Black Death. The Pneumonic and the Septicemic plague were less common probably because the victims died before they could reach other places; this was mainly because of the inefficient of transportation. The Pneumonic plague had a mortality of 90-95%. Symptoms of the Pneumonic plague would slimy sputum tinted with blood and infection in the lungs. Sputum is saliva mixed with mucus exerted from the respiratory system. As the deadly disease progressed in the victims body the sputum became free flowing and bright red. The symptoms would take 1-7 days to appear.
The Septicemic plague was the rarest form of the three forms. Septicemic had a motality ratevery close to 100% (even today there is no treatment). The symptoms of the Septicemic plague were a high fever and skin turning deep shades of purple due to DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation).Victims usually died the same day symptoms appeared. In some cities, as many as 800 people died every day.
4) Malaria (1600 – today)
The Malaria disease causes about 400-900 million cases of fever and approximately one to three million people die annuallybecause of Malaria . Malaria mostl occurs in children under the age of 5 years and pregnant women. Despite efforts to reduce transmission and increase treatment, there has been little change in the areas which are at risk of this disease since 1992.If malaria stays on its present upwards course, the death rate could double in the next twenty years. Precise statistics of the deaths and infected are unknown because many cases occur in rural areas where people do not have access to hospitals or the means to afford health care. Consequently, the majority of cases are undocumented.
Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the world and an enormous public-health problem. The parasites are transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquitoe. The parasites multiply within red blood cells, causing symptoms that include Anemia which is light headedness, shortness of breath, tachycardia, as well as other general symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, flu-like illness.In severe cases the victimcould get a coma and then death. The disease is caused by Protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
5) Human Swine Influenza(H1N1) (2008-today)
The Human Swine Influenza virus is a new influenza virus that is infecting and killing people and spreading from pigs to person. Cases of Human Swine Influenza have been confirmed in countries throughout the world by the World Health Organization and there have been confirmed cases of Human Swine Influenza in Australia.
The Swine Flu virus is spread from pig to person in the same way the seasonal influenza and other common respiratory infections spread. Human Swine Influenza viruses do not spread by food. If you properly handled and prepared pork or pork prodects you can not be infected by it. The Queensland Health is currently coordinating Queensland's response to the international flu outbreaks to ensure that all Queenslanders are protected and provided with health support and vital information. The Queensland Health is working closely with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and our state counterparts to keep Australia protected from the Human Swine Influenza.
Sources of the information:
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/swineflu/
http://www.impactlab.com/2009/04/27/7-worst-pandemics-in-history/
http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/Black.html
The Human Swine Influenza virus is a new influenza virus that is infecting and killing people and spreading from pigs to person. Cases of Human Swine Influenza have been confirmed in countries throughout the world by the World Health Organization and there have been confirmed cases of Human Swine Influenza in Australia.
The Swine Flu virus is spread from pig to person in the same way the seasonal influenza and other common respiratory infections spread. Human Swine Influenza viruses do not spread by food. If you properly handled and prepared pork or pork prodects you can not be infected by it. The Queensland Health is currently coordinating Queensland's response to the international flu outbreaks to ensure that all Queenslanders are protected and provided with health support and vital information. The Queensland Health is working closely with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and our state counterparts to keep Australia protected from the Human Swine Influenza.
Sources of the information:
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/swineflu/
http://www.impactlab.com/2009/04/27/7-worst-pandemics-in-history/
http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/Black.html
