The world has seen some of the grim histories of pandemics. Such events have shaped and affected the lives of human civilisation.
The scientist around the world used the Reproduction Number (RO/R nought) to track the spread of infection of the deadly diseases from one sick person to another. Measles shows the highest of 16 whereas the MERS has the least of 0.8, compared to the other deadly diseases of the pandemic. The new coronavirus stands to have a 2.5 in the reproduction number of the pandemic.
Sowing Happiness takes down to list some of the deadliest pandemics experienced across the globe.
Antonine Plague pandemic also called the “Plague of Galen” took shape in 165-180 AD during the Roman power. It was said to have brought by the troops who were travelling back from the campaigns in the Near East but the true cause was never determined. A death toll of around 5 million was reported by this ancient pandemic.
Plague of Justinian
The early 6th century of 541-542 AD saw the “Plague of Justinian”. Sourced from China and northeast India, the plague pandemic escalated in the region of Africa by overland and sea trade routes. The disease swept away 50 million lives.
The Black Death
In the mid-13th century from 1347-1351, Eurasia and North Africa gave rise to the disease of bacillus bacteria which roots its origin from the fleas on the rodents. Popularly termed as the “Black Death” because it sores the skin black by its effect. An unimaginable 200 million lives were lost in the pandemic as it’s termed as the deadliest pandemic of all times.
The Great Plague of London
In the year 1665, there was a deadly Plague pandemic popularly termed as The Great Plague of London. The disease was believed to have passed from the rats. The pandemic started in a low pace but when it took it, there was no stopping. An unfortunate 15% of the population of London was swiped away by this deadly disease.
A popular song among kids, the Ring-a-ring of roses was originated and sang to put the horrific situation into words.
One of the famous disease known till date, HIV/AIDS was shaped in 1981. It was originated in the United States. The disease peaked in the early 1990s. Researchers hinted a strain of SIV which was found in chimpanzees was almost identical to that of the HIV in humans. But the cure is still far away for now.
In the year 2002-2003, SARS COV took birth in China which then grew out to the world. It was said to have originated from bats and was infected to other animals from that. As many as, 774 lives were claimed by the SARS coronavirus pandemic.
Ebola virus was brought into light in 1976 but during the year of 2014, the Ebola outbreak settled-in in large-scale and took shape in West Africa. The virus was said to be Zaire Ebola virus which was spreading from human contact. A shattering 11000 lives were lost due to the virus.
In 2015, the MERS-Coronavirus took off in Saudi Arabia. It was originated from the infected dromedary camels. The coronavirus took away 850 lives.
The new coronavirus was first reported in the city of Wuhan, China in November 2019. Keeping all the speculations of the bats and the Virology laboratory aside, the source of the coronavirus is yet to be found by the world.
Until now the new coronavirus has claimed around 3,35,000 lives and is still spreading like wildfire across the globe.