Most Deadly Viruses in History

Humans have been battling most deadly viruses in history for as long as we've existed. Over time, we've developed vaccines and antiviral drugs that have either stopped these viruses from spreading widely or helped people recover from them.

In fact, we've even succeeded in wiping out one disease completely - smallpox.

However, not all viruses are created equal. Some are far deadlier than others. Take the Ebola virus, for example. The strain responsible for the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa had a staggering fatality rate, killing up to 90% of those it infected.

While other viruses, like the novel coronavirus that's currently causing global outbreaks, may have lower fatality rates, they're still a significant public health concern due to their ability to infect vast numbers of people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted some of the most dangerous viruses based on their fatality rates, the number of deaths they've caused, and the potential threat they pose. Among these is the Marburg virus, which was first identified in 1967.

The virus shares similarities with Ebola, as both can cause a condition known as hemorrhagic fever. This leads to high fevers and internal bleeding, which can result in shock, organ failure, and ultimately, death.

Regarding most deadly viruses in history, the fatality rate for the Marburg virus has varied over the years. The first outbreak in 1967 had a fatality rate of 24%. However, subsequent outbreaks have been even more deadly, with rates reaching 83% between 1998 and 2000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a horrifying 100% during an outbreak in Uganda in 2017, according to the WHO.

Recently, in August 2021, the first Marburg virus outbreak in West Africa was confirmed. The case involved a man from southwestern Guinea who showed symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, and bleeding from the gums before succumbing to the disease.

Despite the outbreak lasting for six weeks and having 170 high-risk contacts, only one additional case was confirmed, according to Reuters.

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Marburg Virus

The Marburg virus is one of the scariest viruses out there. Even though it's named after a peaceful town by a river, it's not peaceful at all. It's a type of hemorrhagic fever virus, similar to Ebola.

This means it can make people very sick, causing seizures and bleeding from different parts of the body like the mouth, skin, and organs. Sadly, it's really deadly, with 9 out of 10 people who get it not surviving.

Ebola

Ebola is another dangerous virus, and there are five different types of it. They are named after places in Africa, like Zaire and Sudan.

The Zaire Ebola is the worst one, with 9 out of 10 people dying from it. Right now, this type is spreading in countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Scientists think it might have come from flying foxes, which are a kind of bat, bringing the virus into cities.

Hantavirus:

The Hantavirus is a group of viruses that can make people really sick. It got its name from a river where soldiers in the Korean War got sick back in 1950. If you catch it, you might have problems with your lungs, get a fever, or even have issues with your kidneys.

Rabies: A Deadly Threat That Continues to Linger

Rabies, a disease that can be both terrifying and deadly, has been largely controlled in the developed world since the introduction of pet vaccines in the 1920s. However, in places like India and parts of Africa, rabies remains a grave concern. According to a 2019 study published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, around 59,000 people lose their lives to rabies each year.

The rabies virus spreads through the bite or scratch of an infected mammal, such as a dog or a bat. Once the virus enters the body, it quickly travels to the brain and nervous system. It's crucial for anyone bitten by a potentially rabid animal to seek immediate medical attention for rabies vaccines or antibody treatments.

Without these interventions, the virus wreaks havoc on the brain and nerves. Once symptoms of rabies start to appear, the outlook is grim; the disease has a staggering 99% fatality rate, as reported by the CDC.

Dr. Muhlberger, an expert in infectious diseases, emphasized the severity of rabies, stating, "It destroys the brain; it's a really, really bad disease." Thankfully, we do have effective tools to combat rabies. "We have a vaccine against rabies, and we have antibodies that work against rabies, so if someone gets bitten by a rabid animal, we can treat this person," she explained.

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However, Dr. Muhlberger also stressed the importance of timely treatment, warning, "if you don't get treatment, there's a 100% possibility you will die."

Bird Flu Virus

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