Top 10 Deadliest Disease List of All Time

Top 10 Deadliest Disease List of All Time

When we talk of deadliest diseases, we think of pandemics that killed millions of people throughout history. Diseases like smallpox, tuberculosis, and malaria wiped out entire populations, and we have come a long way in fighting these deadly diseases. However, some diseases still haunt us and cause fatalities worldwide, making it essential to know more about them. Here is a list of the top 10 deadliest diseases of all time.

1) HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system, making it weaker and unable to fight infections and diseases. Since it was first recognized in 1981, HIV/AIDS has caused an estimated 33 million deaths worldwide. About 37.7 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS globally, with a total of 1.7 million new infections in 2019.

Despite significant improvements in treatments and therapies, HIV/AIDS remains a major public health challenge worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 25 million people are living with the virus.

2) Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which mainly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. TB has been around for centuries and has killed billions of people since its discovery. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB is the world’s most infectious killer, causing 1.5 million deaths globally in 2018.

A major challenge in fighting TB is the emergence of drug-resistant strains, which are more difficult to treat. However, with better diagnostics, treatments, and prevention measures, the world has made progress in reducing TB deaths, with a 14% decline since 2015.

3) Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. According to the WHO, in 2019, there were estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide, which led to an estimated 409,000 deaths, with Sub-Saharan Africa carrying the highest malaria burden. Pregnant women and children under 5 years old are at high risk of infection.

The fight against malaria has seen some success, with a 41% reduction in the global malaria death rate since 2000. However, much still needs to be done to eliminate malaria entirely, including developing new drugs, insecticides, and vaccines.

4) Covid-19

The world recently witnessed the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since the emergence of the virus in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, COVID-19 has disrupted the world, causing over 100 million confirmed cases and over 2.5 million confirmed deaths globally.

Efforts to combat COVID-19 involve developing vaccines and treatments, ensuring adequate testing and contact tracing, and promoting preventive measures like hand washing, masks, and social distancing.

5) Smallpox

Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by the Variola virus, which causes skin rashes and high fever. The disease was one of the deadliest diseases in human history, causing an estimated 300 million deaths in the 20th century alone. However, with successful vaccination campaigns, the world eradicated smallpox in 1979, making it the first human disease to be eradicated from the world.

6) Polio

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that mainly affects children under five years old. The virus spreads from person to person through contaminated water or food. Polio can cause paralysis, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. Polio has been eradicated in most parts of the world, with only two countries- Afghanistan and Pakistan- still reporting cases.

7) Typhus

Typhus is an infectious disease caused by Rickettsia bacteria, mainly spread by fleas, lice, or ticks. Typhus causes high fever, headache, muscle pain, and rashes. During World War I and World War II, typhus killed millions of people, mostly in concentration camps and ghettos. Though typhus is now rare, outbreaks can still occur in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.

8) Ebola

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease caused by the Ebola virus, first identified in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976. The virus spreads from human-to-human through exposure to infected bodily fluids. Ebola causes high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal hemorrhaging. Since the virus’s discovery, there have been multiple outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest outbreak occurring in West Africa in 2014-2016.

9) Influenza

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The flu can result in mild to severe symptoms, and in severe cases, it can lead to hospitalization and death. The flu has caused pandemics like the Spanish flu in 1918, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, the Asian flu, and the swine flu.

To prevent flu, doctors recommend getting a flu vaccine every year, washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact with infected people, and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

10) Cholera

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, mainly spread through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Cholera causes watery diarrhea, vomiting, and severe dehydration. According to the WHO, cholera remains a threat to global health, with an estimated 1.3 to 4 million cases annually and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide.

To end the cholera epidemic, the WHO has launched an innovative strategy, the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which aims to reduce cholera deaths by 90% by 2030 through sustainable and integrated approaches that combine prevention, treatment, and improved water, and sanitation.

Conclusion

The world has made significant progress in fighting the deadliest diseases of all time, but the task is far from over. Infectious diseases remain a significant public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The fight against these diseases requires a holistic approach that combines prevention, treatment, and research and development.