Worst Pandemics Survived by Humans
As the world braces up for subsequent waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, it becomes worthwhile to remember the pandemics of our past. The fact is that we humans have survived even deadlier pandemics and some of them were threatening to an extent where the entire human race faced possible extinction.
Like asteroid was for Dinos, Pandemic is for humans
Yes, you read it right, our race would have got wiped out like dinosaurs! Now don’t start worrying about getting perished with the Covid pandemic, because apart from biological evolution we humans have evolved scientifically and technologically which has increased our defenses against such pandemics.
Before we start knowing about some deadly pandemics it is important to know what an epidemic is. In simple words, it is the local version of a pandemic. When an epidemic spreads globally it becomes a pandemic. History has shown many epidemics to be even deadlier than pandemics and therefore deserve equal attention.
Plague of Justinian, 541 AD
Caused by the bubonic plague bacteria, the plague of Justinian wiped out an estimated 25–100 million of the 6th-century population of 168 million. The plague lasted for about two centuries with multiple resurgences until it finally became dormant. The plague spread through infected flies and lice, and would directly attack the lymphatic system of humans where it would rapidly replicate itself and take over the immune system.
Total Estimated Population: 168 million (541-542 AD)
Deathtoll: 25–100 million
Mortality Rate: 13–51%
The mortality rate of this plague was 10% with treatment and 90% without treatment, which makes us realize the importance of healthcare access for everyone, especially when the Corona pandemic has refreshed our past.
Historians positively say that the Plague of Justinian worked in favor of the forced slaves of the Blazentine empire. This is because the majority of the slave population had succumbed to the infection and the remaining slaves made use of this opportunity and demanded freedom in return for work. Clever them but what would you do? Sell sanitizers?
Black Death Plague, 1347
Here we again welcome back the bubonic plague bacteria which this time took the lives of about 200 million. But keeping the population of that time in mind this pandemic was less disastrous when compared proportionally with the Justinian plague. It took the lives of about 17% to 45% of the population of 443 million.
Total Estimated Population: 443 million (1347–1351)
Deathtoll: 75-200 million
Mortality Rate: 17–45%
During this century the understanding of the spread of the bubonic plague was further developed. It was found that an increase in Europe’s rat population was a major cause of the plague. Fleas would bite an infected rodent and spread it to humans. Therefore they were held responsible for being the major vector of the plague. After this major precautions of hygiene and remedies started getting developed.
Third Plague Pandemic, 1855
It’s again the bubonic plague bacteria that made its way to the 19th century. It was a pandemic that would always outdo other pandemics. But this time the origin of the plague was in Yunnan, China. From there it made its way to Western Europe via India infecting every human that came on its way. It took over the entire opium trade route and this time high death toll of about 12 million was witnessed in India and China.
Total Estimated Population: 1200–1600 million (1855–1960)
Deathtoll: 15–20 million
An interesting fact is that the bubonic plague is that it still survives inside wild rodents in the Southwestern part of the United States. Since the 2000s about 12 people have died from bubonic bacteria and about 7 cases get reported every year. We are lucky at least in this century, you never know when this plague can again pop up into a pandemic.
Smallpox Pandemic, 1877
The World Health Organization in 1980, declared that smallpox had been successfully eradicated from infecting humans. The previous line may seem very normal to you but was a ray of hope for the generation of that time. It is because smallpox was known for its notorious effects that caused slow and painful death. It would cause pus-filled scabies, blindness, and at last death. It was so deadly that the world’s first vaccine was primarily developed to fight against smallpox. The mortality rate of Smallpox was almost similar to the present Covid-19 virus in the range of 0.5–2%.
Total Estimated Population: 1200–1600 million (1877–1977)
Deathtoll: 500 million
Mortality Rate: 35% (without medication) and 0.5–2%
Spanish Flu Pandemic, 1918
Between 1918 and 1919 about one-third of the world population was infected with the Spanish flu. That is approximately 500 million people out of which 17–100 million succumbed to the flu. The flu spread rapidly because of advancements in the transportation of troops in World War-I. As Spain was a neutral country the news of the pandemic was hardly of any concern to the world at war. Things escalated when the king of Spain got critically ill because of the virus. This is when the world put on its guards against the virus and found that it was H1N1. It is still unknown how the virus that is mostly found in birds got transferred to humans.
Total Estimated Population: 1800 million (1918–1919)
Deathtoll: 17–100 million
Mortality Rate: 2.5%
An amazing fact associated with the Spanish flu is that it was found even in the most remote parts of the world like the middle of the Pacific ocean.
Hong Kong Flu, 1968
It started as an epidemic in Hong Kong and then spread throughout Asia followed by the world. It infected every one of ten people in Hong Kong and about one-tenth of the total deaths occurred in the United States where about 1 million people succumbed to the virus. Caused by the H3N2 strain of the influenza A virus, the virus became dormant after two years of causing havoc. Its nature was similar to the Spanish Flu and therefore alarming steps were taken to curb the spread of the airborne virus. The origin of the virus remains untraced but however, it is believed that it spread from birds to cattle and then to humans. Now don’t start looking at your cattle with suspicion!
Total Estimated Population: 3551 million (1968–1970)
Deathtoll: 1 million (mostly US)
Mortality Rate: 0.1–0.5%
These are just some of the most notable pandemics that our human race has managed to survive and will continue to survive in the future.
