The history of pandemics created by viruses is as long as the history of human evolution. Humans have been fighting against viruses since then and it is still on. The human race is still surrounded by various virus influenced epidemics but this is the human determination and capability that defeat all evils every time. As it is said “ Modern problems need a modern solution”, the human being has a better understanding of this phrase. To fight against virus diseases humans have developed vaccines and antiviral drugs to control the widespread and recover affected people.
One after one, viruses erupt in any part of our world, even from animals to humans and cause fatalities and casualties. It seems a long-lasting fight between humans and different viruses. In recent decades various viruses have jumped and have triggered thousands of lives in different parts of the world. The reasons for the eruption and their fatalities can vary in terms of deaths, range of spread, and time to overcome the deadlier situation. Viruses pose a serious threat to public health and the global economy as well. Humans do not yet have the tools and antidots to combat them.
Here are the top 10 deadliest viruses of all time that have caused severe and fatal harms and casualties around the world and still they are a great threat to us.
1. Marburg Virus
Marburg virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever and it can infect both human and non-human species. It is a genetically animal-borne RNA virus of the filovirus family and of the Ebola species. Very first it came to the light in 1967, when it outbursts among lab workers in Germany. The infection was outbroken by the exposure of lab workers with imported African green monkeys while doing research in the laboratory. The tissue or an infested host of the Marburg virus is the African fruit bat, Rousettus Aegyptiacus.
The Rousettus bat dwells in huge numbers across the African continent. Due to widespread fruit bats, more people and areas are at high risk for infection of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever than hitherto doubted. Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever outbreaks usually appear in an irregular way throughout Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola. In 2008, some cases of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever were experienced when travelers returned from Uganda.
2. Ebola Virus
The very first outbreak of the Ebola virus in humans was identified at the same time in the Republic of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976. Ebola virus spreads through tissues, blood and other body fluids of infected people and animals. In March 2014, the West Africa Ebola pandemic began with the cases of Ebola Virus Diseases in tribal areas of southeastern Guinea. The WHO, on March 23, 2014, officially declared the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease with 49 confirmed cases and 29 deaths.
3. Rabies
Rabies is an injurious viral disease but it can be prevented and cured. It spreads to both people and animals as well. If a rabies-infected animal bites and scratches someone then rabies communicates to them who are bitten. Rabies virus is commonly found in skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and dogs. In humans, rabies deaths across the world are mostly caused by dog bites. The rabies virus weakens or infects the central nervous system or immune system. After possible exposure to the rabies virus, if the victim does not take proper medical care or treatment, the virus can fatally damage the brain and ultimately result in death. The prevention of rabies virus is vaccinations, keeping a distance from infected animals and wildlife and seeking medical care.
4. HIV
HIV is the deadliest and uncured virus in today’s world. It is called the biggest killer in the modern world. HIV was recognized as a disease in early 1980. Antidot drugs are available there that can keep people alive for years but a complete cure is still not possible. HIV virus is not a disease in itself but it destroys the immune system and healing ability of the body. HIV spreads through exposer to infected blood and by making unsafe sexual relations.
5. Smallpox
Nowadays Smallpox is curable but still, it is one of the deadliest viruses. Before that, it infected one-third of the world and left survivors with deep blotches or blindness.
6. Hantavirus
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome spread very first in the United States in 1993. This virus does not communicate from people to people rather than it spreads by infected mice to the people.
7. Influenza
It gained its spread in 1918 and it is also known as Spanish flu. In its earlier period, it infected almost 40% of the world’s population. There is an estimate of 500000000 deaths across the world by this deadliest virus. It damages body parts like lungs, nose, and throat. Fever, chills, congestion, headaches, muscle aches, cough, and fatigue are the symptoms of the virus.
8. Dengue
Dengue spread very first in the Philippines and Thailand in the 1950s. From there it has communicated throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the planet. It is said that people who get infected with the dengue virus a second time, possess a higher risk of severe diseases. High fever, headache, rash, and muscle and joint pain are the symptoms of the dengue.
9. SARS-Cov
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS appeared very first in the Guangdong state of China in 2002. This virus emerged in bats and then spread to civets and finally to humans. It communicates through droplets of infected people. The droplets enter the air by cough, sneeze, and talk.
10. Covid-19
Covid-19 is of the family of SARS and the virus is called Coronavirus. At first, it gained in Wuhan city of China in December 2019. It is a respiratory disease that causes cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing. It also spread through droplets of infected people. Avoiding the touch of the infected surface is the only cure for it.
