The Top 5 Deadly Diseases 200 Years Ago That Have Been Completely Eradicated

Introduction

It’s hard to imagine a world without modern medicine, but not that long ago, deadly diseases ravaged populations around the globe. Thanks to advances in healthcare and science, many of these diseases have been eradicated completely. Let’s take a closer look at the top five deadly diseases of the past that are no longer a threat.

Smallpox

Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases of all time, killing millions of people throughout history. It had a mortality rate of 30 percent, and those who survived were often left with severe scars and disfigurement. However, in 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization. This was thanks to a massive global vaccination campaign that targeted every person who was potentially at risk of contracting the disease.

Polio

Polio was once feared as a crippling and deadly disease, reaching epidemic levels in the United States and Europe in the mid-20th century. Thanks to the development of a vaccine, polio cases dropped dramatically, and it was eliminated from most countries by the 1980s. Today, the disease is almost entirely eradicated worldwide, with only a few isolated cases reported each year.

Measles

Measles used to be a common childhood illness that could lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. In some cases, it was fatal. Thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, measles has been eliminated from many countries worldwide. While it’s still present in some regions, including parts of Africa and Asia, global measles deaths have plummeted by 73 percent since 2000.

Rinderpest

Rinderpest was a highly contagious viral disease that affected cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle and buffalo. It caused massive losses to livestock, which in turn threatened the survival of many human populations. Starting in the 1940s, a concerted global effort to eradicate the disease began. Thanks to mass vaccination campaigns and surveillance, rinderpest was declared eradicated in 2011. This was the first time that an animal disease had been successfully eradicated.

Guinea Worm Disease

Guinea worm disease, also known as dracunculiasis, is a parasitic infection that affects people in rural areas of Africa and Asia. It’s spread through contaminated drinking water and causes excruciating pain as the worm slowly emerges from the skin. Thanks to effective education and prevention campaigns, cases of Guinea worm disease dropped from 3.5 million in 1986 to just 27 in 2020.

Conclusion

The eradication of these deadly diseases was only possible thanks to the hard work of healthcare professionals, scientists, and governments around the world. These successes give us hope that other diseases, such as COVID-19, can also be brought under control. By working together and investing in healthcare and research, we can help build a healthier, safer future for all.