Pandemic ... In the spring of 2020, mankind again had to face this phenomenon. Even the high level of development of medicine did not help: a huge number of people infected around the world, about 300 thousand deaths (as of May 14).
Of course, this pandemic was not the first. There are many terrible diseases that have claimed many more lives. In some cases, the human population was on the verge of extinction.
If you are interested in this topic, pay attention to our rating of the worst pandemics in the history of mankind.
10. Smallpox
Died: 300 to 500 million people
A viral infection that is transmitted by airborne droplets and enters the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. The disease got its name because of characteristic rashes, after resolution of which deep scars remain on the skin.
The first cases of smallpox diseases date back to the 4th century. The inhabitants of Asian countries were affected: China, India, Japan. Doctors did not know how to treat them, so the mortality rate reached 40%. The virus gradually began to spread around the world: Europe, the American continent. In the period from the XII to the XV century, about 1.5 million people died every year from this disease.
Talking about the total number of victims of smallpox is pointless. “God's punishment,” as it was called, has been rampant for many centuries. Thanks to her, doctors invented the vaccine (1796), but it was too early to talk about the victory over the virus. In the twentieth century, about 500 million people worldwide died from smallpox. Mass vaccination helped to stop the spread of the virus. The last case of infection was recorded in 1977.
9. Plague
Died: about 140 million people
An acute infectious disease characterized by a high mortality rate. A frightening figure - up to 99% with a pulmonary form. The causative agent is a plague wand, which was discovered in 1984.
There are three known pandemic plague, which at different times claimed a huge number of human lives:
- Justinian's plague lasted from 541 to 700 years. During this time, 100 million people died. It began in Egypt, then spread throughout the civilized world.
- The black death in 7 years (1346 - 1353) killed a third of the population of Europe. The epidemic began in eastern China, after which it went through European countries.
- The third pandemic began in the middle of the 19th century. Port residents suffered. The number of victims was small. The plague swept India, China, the Azores, but did not reach Europe.
8. Cholera
Died: tens of millions of people
An acute intestinal infection that has long been considered a local disease. Subject to it were the inhabitants of South America, India, Africa, Southeast Asia. In the XIX century, it became widespread throughout the world. The death toll amounts to tens of millions. During the period from 1816 to 1966, seven pandemics were recorded that raged in different parts of the world, including Russia. Cholera outbreaks are still occurring, mainly in poor countries. This terrible disease no longer presents such danger as before.
7. Typhoid
Died: about 3.5 million people
The collective name, until the middle of the XIX century, a whole group of infectious diseases was included here. Now they are divided into several types: rash, abdominal, recurrent. Typhus, which has become an integral part of wars, natural disasters, famine and devastation, is most widespread. The first typhoid pandemic broke out during the Peloponnesian War (430 - 427 BC) in Athens. Killed 25% of the population, as well as a fourth of the Athenian army. In Russia, typhoid spread during the First World War, the number of deaths amounted to 3.5 million people.
6. Influenza
Died: up to 500 thousand people die every year
Acute respiratory tract infection. At the moment, more than 2 thousand flu viruses have been identified. Seasonal epidemics of this disease no longer surprise anyone. Up to 500 thousand people worldwide die from it every year. Sometimes this figure increases significantly. In the past couple of decades, people have feared bird and pork.
The most widespread pandemic is the Spanish Flu. It began in January 1918 and lasted almost two years. A third of the world's population suffered from “Spanish”, the death toll varies from 50 to 100 million people. The fact is that the virus was rampant during the First World War, so the exact number of victims of the disease is impossible to establish.
5. Tuberculosis
Killed: up to 2 million people die every year
An infectious disease that most commonly affects the lungs. They infected one third of the total population of the Earth. 8 million people fall ill every year, a quarter of them cannot cope with the disease. If you start treatment at an early stage, there is every chance of defeating tuberculosis. But a comprehensive treatment program was developed only in the twentieth century, previously the disease was considered incurable.
In the XVI - XVIII centuries, tuberculosis caused the death of a tenth of the population of Europe. Then the disease was nicknamed the Great White Plague.
Interesting fact. Tuberculosis cut short the lives of many talented and famous people. Among them are Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, Franz Kafka, Charlotte Bronte, Frederic Chopin, Vivien Leigh.
4. Malaria
Died: every 30 seconds in the world one person dies
Infectious disease transmitted by the bite of a female "malaria mosquito". Often found in tropical and subtropical regions. 90% of all cases of infection occur in Black Africa, it is part of the continent, which is located in the south of the Sahara.
This has not always been the case. Until the 60s of the twentieth century, malaria also affected the USSR. The peak of the disease occurred in 1934 - 1935, the number of infected exceeded 9 million people. Now in Russia, cases of malaria are sometimes recorded, but they are all “imported”. For example, in 2018, when the World Cup was held, 148 diseases were registered. In Africa, Asia and America, the situation is still critical, every 30 seconds in the world one person dies infected with malaria.
3. Leprosy
Died: is unknown
A chronic disease characterized by a long incubation period (up to 5 years). It affects the skin, upper respiratory tract, nervous system. Leprosy is mentioned in the Old Testament, but opinions are divided. Some scientists believe that the disease arose much later.
Leprosy dominated the world for four centuries from XI to XV, the number of dead and sick is not known. Infected "buried alive." The man was buried, they were given him special clothes and a rattle. He could not communicate with others. If he went outside the house, he should have loudly rattled to inform people of his approach. When the number of infected increased, they began to open special institutions - leper colony. Now leprosy is a rare disease, in Russia 202 patients are registered.
2. HIV
Died: about 36 million people
The term "human immunodeficiency virus" appeared in 1986, the first cases of the disease were recorded in 1981. Scientists have proven that the virus has existed since the 20s of the twentieth century. It is transmitted as a result of direct interaction of the mucous or damaged skin of a healthy person with biological fluids of an infected person or the use of non-sterile instruments.
After becoming infected with HIV, a person can live no more than 10 years. In the case of antiretroviral therapy, this period will significantly increase. That's just therapy is prescribed either with a high viral load, or with a decrease in immunity. Between 1981 and the present, 36 million people have died of HIV infection. The number of infected in Russia is 1% of the total population, but this figure is conditional. You need to be tested to find out your HIV status. There are frequent cases when people died, never knowing that they had AIDS. The HIV pandemic is hidden. This is a disease that is not customary to talk about.
1. Coronavirus infection COVID-19
Killed: on May 14, 2020 - 297 thousand people
An acute respiratory infection that began to spread in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019. On January 30, 2020, an emergency of international importance was announced in the field of healthcare; on March 11, the epidemic was recognized as a pandemic. The number of people infected in the world exceeded 4.4 million, the number of deaths - 297 thousand people (as of May 14, 2020). This figure is growing steadily. The disease proceeds both in mild and in severe form. COVID-19 is not yet fully understood. Virologists say that the consequences may not be very pleasant: brain damage, infertility, decreased immunity. The mortality rate is not very high, but the virus is spreading at a tremendous speed, elderly and people with chronic diseases are at risk.
Russia ranks second in the world in the number of infected, but it is too early to talk about stabilization, our country has not yet reached a plateau. It remains only to observe all safety measures and hope for the best.