From Smallpox to COVID-19: A Look at Disease Every Century

Every century, humankind has been tested by various epidemics, pandemics, and diseases, both old and new. These diseases can be fatal, cause significant morbidity, and have a massive impact on the world’s economy, social settings, and healthcare systems. Let’s take a journey through history to understand how pandemics have shaped our society over time, from smallpox to COVID-19.

Smallpox, a highly contagious disease, was one of the deadliest diseases in history and responsible for wiping out significant parts of the indigenous population in the Americas. The disease first appeared in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC and killed around 400,000 people in Europe per year during the 18th century. In 1980, the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated worldwide— the first, and so far, the only human disease to ever be eradicated.

In the 20th century, we saw the emergence of another deadly pandemic, the Spanish Flu (H1N1), which occurred from 1918-1920. The Spanish flu infected over 500 million people worldwide and killed an estimated 50 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in history. The outbreak was especially problematic as it came during the turmoil of World War I, which made it difficult for countries to prioritize healthcare.

More recently, in 2003, we saw the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic in China spread rapidly to other countries. SARS infected over 8,000 people and killed around 800 before it was contained.

Fast-forward to 2020, the world was once again struck by a highly infectious and deadly virus, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 caused significant changes in lifestyle and resulted in economies being shut down globally. The virus infects people of all ages, and due to its newness, there still remain many unknowns about it.

Each pandemic has shaped the healthcare system in its way and forced us to innovate and adapt our ways of living. However, the most crucial lesson learned throughout history is the importance of prevention and preparedness. Public health measures and vaccines have played a significant role in controlling the spread of disease. Early detection and containment are key factors to prevent pandemics from becoming worse.

In conclusion, pandemics have had a significant and devastating impact on human society throughout history. Smallpox, Spanish Flu, SARS, and COVID-19 are all examples of pandemics that caused significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the history of pandemics, learning from past experiences and lessons, combined with the use of effective interventions like contact tracing, early detection, and vaccines are essential to prepare for, prevent and combat future pandemics.