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The world is enduring challenging times as countries come together to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but did you know there have been numerous near-pandemics in recent history? Some of these diseases were even more deadly than Covid-19. If any of these outbreaks had evaded containment, the consequences could have been much more devastating than what we've experienced with Covid. Below are 10 recent near-pandemics that were more lethal than the coronavirus.
10. Ebola
Ebola is an extremely lethal virus that first emerged in Western Africa in 1976. The most widely accepted theory for its origin involves humans coming into contact with a primate infected with the virus. In its early stages, Ebola's symptoms can be mild, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and chills. However, as the disease progresses, it becomes much more severe and life-threatening, with victims suffering from internal bleeding that leads to vomiting or coughing up blood. The virus is primarily spread through contact with bodily fluids from an infected person or someone who has recently died from the disease. One particular strain of Ebola has a mortality rate of nearly 75% when humans are infected.
The deadliest recent Ebola outbreak occurred from 2013 to early 2016, with 28,646 reported cases and a staggering 11,323 deaths. This epidemic ravaged several West African nations, with up to 59% of hospitalized patients dying. Some cases were also reported in countries outside of Africa, including four patients in the United States, who were swiftly isolated. Key to halting the spread was an intensive contact tracing strategy and strict quarantines. Vaccines were used in a limited capacity to curb the outbreak, as they had not yet undergone extensive clinical trials. Since then, vaccines have been instrumental in controlling smaller outbreaks of the virus.
9. AIDS
Although much is understood about HIV/AIDS and how it spreads today, the early days of the epidemic in the 1980s were marked by limited knowledge. The disease was first recognized in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York in 1981, though some experts speculate that HIV may have been circulating in humans since the 1960s. The initial transmission of the virus is thought to have originated from non-human primates. There are several misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, including the now-discredited 'patient zero' theory involving Canadian flight attendant Gaëtan Dugas.
Since the onset of the crisis in 1981, over 700,000 people in the U.S. have died from HIV/AIDS. The epidemic primarily affected gay and bisexual men and was often referred to as the 'gay cancer.' The virus is transmitted exclusively through sexual contact or blood exposure with an infected individual. Modern treatments have greatly improved, with doctors now able to prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS in many cases. Patients may receive a combination of antiviral drugs to combat the virus.
8. SARS
The SARS epidemic, which caused global alarm in the early 2000s, began in China and spread throughout East Asia and even reached the United States. Around 8,000 individuals were infected with SARS, and nearly 1,000 lost their lives. Symptoms include fever, aches, diarrhea, and pneumonia. The virus spreads through droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and these particles can be inhaled by others. Dubbed the first pandemic of the 21st century by the media, SARS had a significantly higher mortality rate than Covid-19, with 10% of those infected not surviving. The World Health Organization and CDC worked tirelessly to limit travel and contain the spread, with the U.S. ultimately seeing only eight cases, and their efforts successfully preventing a widespread outbreak in North America.
7. Swine Flu
The H1N1 virus, or swine flu, which caused a worldwide pandemic in 2009, is a type of influenza. This strain is also responsible for past pandemics, such as the Spanish Flu and Russian Flu. The name 'swine flu' comes from the virus's origin, which involved a combination of genetic material from bird, swine, and human flu strains. This new virus mixed its genetic code with the Eurasian pig flu, leading to its distinctive name. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular flu, and experts from the World Health Organization have determined that it is not necessarily more deadly.
It's challenging to determine the exact number of cases during the pandemic due to a large number of asymptomatic infections. However, estimates suggest that there were between 700 million to 1.4 billion cases worldwide. The estimated death toll ranges from 150,000 to 575,000, with annual flu-related deaths typically ranging from 250,000 to 500,000 people.
6. Cholera
Many are unaware that a Cholera pandemic has been ongoing since 1961, predominantly affecting underdeveloped countries. Cholera primarily spreads through contaminated water, often tainted with fecal matter. This risk is higher in third-world nations, whereas developed nations have seen a significant decline in cases due to major improvements in sanitation. If left untreated, cholera can lead to death within hours. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, intense thirst, and dehydration, typically emerging within 2 hours to 5 days after exposure.
The most recent cholera outbreak in the United States ended in 1866, claiming the lives of up to one in every ten people living in large cities. The best way to combat cholera involves ensuring that at-risk areas have proper sanitation systems and access to clean drinking water. Cholera vaccines are also used selectively when necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.
5. Typhoid Fever
Typhoid is a bacterial infection that can be carried and transmitted even by individuals who show no symptoms. The most common signs of the disease include a high fever, occasional abdominal discomfort, headaches, and constipation. One distinctive symptom is the appearance of rose-colored spots on the skin. These symptoms result from the bacteria's growth in the bloodstream and intestines of the infected person.
The most notorious typhoid outbreak in the U.S. took place in 1906, involving Mary Mallon, widely known as 'Typhoid Mary.' Mary is believed to have introduced typhoid to the U.S. as the first known asymptomatic carrier. The Irish immigrant infected around 53 people through her work as a cook. After being quarantined by health authorities, she returned to her job as a cook, eventually being placed into forced isolation for the last 30 years of her life. The epidemic was largely controlled through the widespread use of the vaccine, which is 40 to 90 percent effective at preventing the spread of the bacteria and can provide protection for up to 7 years.
4. Whooping Cough
Whooping cough, also known as the '100-day cough,' derives its name from the fact that its symptoms can sometimes persist for as long as 10 weeks. This highly contagious bacterial disease spreads through droplets of water released when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Initially, the disease mimics common cold symptoms but soon progresses to violent coughing fits that can last for weeks. After a coughing episode, a high-pitched 'whoop' sound is often heard as the person inhales, which is how the disease gets its name. In some cases, the coughing is so severe that it causes vomiting or even broken ribs. Symptoms usually begin 7-10 days after infection, and while infections can still occur in vaccinated individuals, the symptoms tend to be milder.
Each year, whooping cough affects about 16 million people, primarily in developing countries, leading to roughly 61,000 deaths. Most of these cases occur in areas lacking adequate healthcare, while the U.S. has seen a significant reduction in outbreaks thanks to widespread vaccination. However, some outbreaks did occur in the early 2010s. One notable outbreak in California saw nearly 10,000 cases and resulted in 10 infant deaths, largely due to misdiagnosis by medical professionals. Experts have linked this and other outbreaks to the growing trend of vaccine refusal for non-medical reasons.
3. Smallpox
Though smallpox is often associated with the era of exploration and the mid-17th century, it was not fully eradicated until 1978. The origin of the disease is unknown, but evidence from Egyptian mummies suggests it existed as far back as the third century BCE. Small outbreaks continued to occur until it was eradicated, with the last major outbreak in the United States taking place in 1902. The disease's initial symptoms include fever and vomiting, followed by the appearance of ulcers and characteristic blisters. These blisters, which have a distinct indentation in the middle and are filled with fluid, eventually scab over and fall off, leaving scars. Some of these scabs have been preserved in 'time capsules,' such as a scab found in a Civil War-era book in the late 20th century.
The final smallpox outbreak began in 1901 and lasted for three years, resulting in 1,596 cases and nearly 300 deaths. This epidemic had a 17% fatality rate, which was much lower than previous outbreaks in less developed countries and without effective control measures. The smallpox vaccine is credited as the primary factor in the disease's eventual eradication.
2. Polio
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It spreads primarily through the ingestion of contaminated feces, and on rare occasions, it can also be transmitted through infected saliva. Most individuals infected with the virus show no symptoms, while roughly 25% may experience mild flu-like signs. However, in about 1 out of every 200 cases, the virus advances from the digestive system into the central nervous system. This can lead to muscle weakness, particularly in the legs, and in more severe instances, it may affect the head, neck, and diaphragm muscles, sometimes requiring the use of an iron lung to assist with breathing. Among those who develop muscle weakness, 2 to 5 percent of children and 15 to 30 percent of adults may die.
The first significant polio epidemic in the United States took place in 1894, with several outbreaks continuing to occur throughout the early to mid-20th century. Polio greatly impacted both American society and public health, with the most famous case being that of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The most intense period of polio in the U.S. occurred from 1916 until the approval of the Salk vaccine in 1955. In 1952, there were 57,628 reported cases and 3,145 fatalities. Polio was eradicated in the Americas by 1994, and ongoing vaccination efforts have significantly reduced its prevalence in many developing nations as well.
1. Measles
The measles virus is a highly contagious airborne disease that spreads through sneezing, coughing, and contact with nasal secretions. Symptoms typically emerge 10-12 days after exposure and can persist for 7-10 days. The initial signs include a high fever, a persistent cough, a runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes. Two to three days after these symptoms appear, Koplik’s spots—small white spots resembling grains of salt—may form inside the mouth, near the molars. Following the appearance of these spots, a characteristic red rash typically develops on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. In some cases, complications such as pneumonia may arise, particularly due to the immune suppression caused by the measles virus.
Measles was declared eradicated in the Americas in 2016, yet cases have continued to emerge since then. A notable outbreak occurred in 1991 in Philadelphia, where 1,400 individuals contracted measles, and tragically, nine children lost their lives. This surge in cases started at the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a faith healing church that actively discouraged its members from receiving vaccinations.
