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As coronavirus spreads rapidly worldwide and countries look for solutions of the killer disease, a look back through history reveals other outbreaks so deadly that they changed the course of history.
Having started from Wuhan, China, so far cases of the virus have increased to 111,366, with the death toll at 3,882 worldwide.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs and airways.
Scientists have so far found out that the virus takes an average of five days before the symptoms of coronavirus start to show.
It is spread when one is in close contact with an infected person or touching objects from such a person.
The has been confirmed in at least 109 countries so far.
Below are some of the deadliest plagues in recorded history.
HIV/AIDS
First identified in 1981, HIV/Aids is one that we are still battling to date.
It has really proven itself as a global pandemic, killing more than 36 million people since it was known.
HIV/Aids destroys the immune system resulting in eventual death caused by diseases that the body would usually fight off.
Its peak was between2005 and 2012.
HIV/Aids was first detected in American gay communities.
However, despite its large death toll, progress in treatment has allowed many the infected persons to lead meaningful lives as those without the virus.
Flu pandemic.
Also referred to as “the Hong Kong Flu,” it was discovered in 1968 in Hong Kong.
Flu pandemic was caused by the H3N2 strain of the Influenza A virus, a genetic offshoot of the H2N2 subtype.
Flue pandemic was transmitted to humans from another animal species.
After its first reported case on July 13, 1968, it only took it 17 days before it started spreading to other countries
Its death toll was 1 million people.
It was not until 1894 that the cure was discovered.
The Black Death
The Black Death, also known as the Pestilence, Great Bubonic Plague, the Great Plague, or the Black Plague, was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history.
It peaked in Europe from 1347 to 1351 and resulted in deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people.
The disease is said to have been transmitted from rodents to humans by the bite of infected fleas.
Black Death travels from person to person pneumatically, or through the air, as well as through the bite of infected fleas and rats.
Antonine Plague
Also known as the Plague of Galen, the Antonine Plague was an ancient pandemic which affected Asia Minor, Egypt, Greece, and Italy and is believed to have been either Smallpox or Measles.
This disease was identified around 165AD and has killed 5million people.
Justinian Plague
First appearing in Egypt, the Justinian Plague spread through Palestine and the Byzantine Empire, before spreading throughout the Mediterranean.
The Justinian plague was killing an estimated 5,000 people per day.
Its death toll is estimated at 25million people.
THIRD CHOLERA PANDEMIC
It is considered the deadliest of the seven cholera pandemics which lasted between 1852 to 1860.
It generated in India and claimed the lives of 1million people.
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