Most Deadliest Diseases of the Last Decade

 Five of the Most Deadly Diseases of the Last Decade

In the last decade, the world has seen a number of deadly diseases. From emerging strains of old ailments to completely novel illnesses, these diseases have had a devastating impact on global health. In this blog post, we'll be taking a look at five of the most deadly diseases of the last decade and how they have affected people around the world. We'll examine the history of each disease, how it is spread, and what treatments are available. By understanding these five diseases, we can better prepare ourselves to prevent and manage future outbreaks.

SARS

The SARS virus is believed to have been transmitted from civet cats to humans. The virus spread quickly through close contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as through coughing or sneezing. It also spread when people had direct contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. 

The outbreak of SARS lasted from November 2002 until July 2003. During this period, it affected more than 8,000 people in over 30 countries, leading to more than 700 deaths. In response to the outbreak, health authorities around the world established guidelines for prevention and control of the disease, such as isolating suspected cases and contact tracing. 

Although SARS has not been reported since 2004, it remains a possible threat and highlights the need for ongoing vigilance against emerging infectious diseases. Fortunately, the world has made progress in developing better preparedness and response systems to prevent and control future outbreaks of SARS or similar illnesses.

Ebola

At the peak of the outbreak in West Africa between 2014-2016, 28,637 cases were reported and 11,323 people died from the virus. Unfortunately, Ebola has continued to ravage certain countries in the DRC since then and as of April 2021 there have been over 3300 cases and almost 2000 deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that with the rise of anti-vaccination sentiment and the emergence of new strains of the virus, the risk of another outbreak is very real. As a result, it is important that everyone take the necessary precautions to help protect themselves and others against Ebola, such as frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with sick people, and getting vaccinated.

Swine Flu

The symptoms of swine flu include fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, the virus can cause more severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. 

Due to its highly contagious nature, Swine Flu caused a global outbreak in 2009-2010. During this time, there were more than 18,449 deaths in the United States alone. Fortunately, there are now vaccines available to protect against this deadly virus. 

As a result of these vaccinations, the number of deaths caused by Swine Flu has decreased significantly in recent years. It is important to remember to get your flu shot each year and to take other preventative measures such as washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with sick people.

Zika

The Zika virus is a relatively new virus, first discovered in 1947 in Uganda. It was largely unknown until 2015, when the virus spread rapidly throughout South and Central America, leading to an outbreak of cases in Brazil. Since then, it has been a serious public health concern throughout much of the world.

The Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, although it can also be spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, and from an infected pregnant mother to her fetus during pregnancy or delivery.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms may include muscle pain and headache. Most people don't have any symptoms at all, but some experience mild symptoms that last up to a week.

If someone is infected with Zika while pregnant, it can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, which is marked by an abnormally small head and brain development issues. It can also lead to other pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage or stillbirth.

There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for Zika virus infection. The best way to protect yourself and your family from infection is to avoid mosquito bites and practice safe sex. Additionally, if you are pregnant and have traveled to a region where Zika is present, it’s important to get tested for the virus.

COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and countries are taking steps to contain it. Measures such as social distancing, wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, and avoiding large gatherings are all recommended. Vaccines are currently being developed in an effort to bring an end to the pandemic.

While the full extent of the virus is still unknown, one thing is for certain – it has been one of the deadliest diseases of the last decade. Despite best efforts from governments and healthcare professionals worldwide, this virus has claimed lives in every corner of the globe.