SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is not the worst that has happened to humanity. Epidemics have been happening since ancient times. Some of them turn into pandemics. We present to you selected epidemics and pandemics alongside their mortality rates.
Although the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic raises many concerns, it is not the worst that has ever happened. Humanity is constantly struggling with spreading diseases. The times of globalization, when traveling is easier than ever, favour the migration of the virus to new continents and the development of a pandemic. At the same time, we have incomparably better opportunities to study pathogens and develop medicines and vaccines.
An epidemic refers to a sudden and unexpected increase in the number of cases of a disease in a population. Pandemic is the spread of a new disease worldwide - usually in many countries and on several continents.
A list of selected pandemics:
- Antonine Plague
years: 165-180
death toll: 5 million - Black death
years: 1347-1351
death toll: 25 million - Smallpox
years: 1520-1979
death toll: 56 million - Great Plague of London
years: 1665–1666
death toll: 100,000 - Spanish Flu
years: 1918-1920
death toll: 40-50 million (according to some sources even 100 million) - Asian Flu
years: 1957-1958
death toll: 1-2 million - Hong Kong Flu
years: 1968-1970
death toll: 1-4 million - Russian Flu
years: 1977-1978
death toll: 1 million - SARS
years: 2002-2003
death toll: 800 - Swine Flu
years: 2009-2010
death toll: 284,500 - Ebola (last major epidemic)
years: 2014-2016
death toll: 11,300 - Cholera (pandemics 1-7)
years: 1817-2018 last epidemic outbreak
death toll: 1 million - HIV/AIDS
years: 1981 – ongoing
death toll: 35 million - MERS
years: 2015 - ongoing
death toll: 858 - COVID-19
years: 2019 - ongoing
death toll: 345,105 (as on 25.05.2020)
The presented medical information should not be treated as guidelines for medical treatment in relation to each patient. The medical decision, including the scope and frequency of diagnostic tests and/ or therapeutic procedures, is decided by the doctor individually, in accordance with medical indications, which they determine after becoming familiar with the patient's condition. The doctor makes a decision in consultation with the patient. If the patient wishes to carry out tests not covered by medical indications, the patient has the option of paying for them. |