Question

• Describe some of the deadliest diseases in human history.
• Explain how the diseases you described were transmitted.
• Analyze the means for eradicating the diseases you discussed.

Answer 1

Some of the deadliest diseases which are seen in the past are:

SPANISH FLU:

It is a deadly influenza pandemic caused by H1N1 influenza virus which lasted for about 12 to 18 months and infected around 500 MILLION people and is responsible for the death of around 17 MILLION to 50 MILLION.

In general infections like these kill the individuals of extreme age groups i.e, very young or very old people but spanish flu caused the death of young induviduals .This flu is the first pandemic caused by H1N1 virus the second being SWINE FLU in 2009.

Mode of transmission:

When an infected person sneezes or coughs around half a million virus particles spread to the person near by .This pandemic occured at the time of World war 1 where there are large troops of soilders and spread of the disease became easier.

Eradication of the disease:

No vaccine has been found and there is a sudden drop in number of cases and some scientists believe that this is because the virus have mutated to a less virulent strain and the doctors have taken more preventive measures in the initial stages of the disease by treating the early flu like symptoms.

SMALL POX :

It is an infectious disease which is caused by one of the two virus variants Variola major and Variola minor.The last case was diagnosed in 1977 and WHO certified the end of disease in 1980.

Disease starts with fever,vomiting and mouth sores in early stages later fluid filled blisters which scab over develops over the body

Transmission of the disease:

  Transmission of this occured by inhalation of airborne variola virusand these droplets are generally from the oral mucosa ,nasal mucosa and pharyngeal mucosa of the infected person.it was transmitted mainly due to prolonged face to face contact or direct contact with the infected person or by touching the contaminated objects.

Eradication of the disease:

Edward jenner had developed vaccine for this disease. He identified the protection given by the cowpox virus against the small pox and developed the vaccine against it. He tested his hypothesis initially on a 8 year old boy on 14 MAY 1796 and he was cured.At present giving the vaccine within 3 days of exposure will prevent majority of symptoms in many people.

CHOLERA:

Cholera is caused by a bacteria Vibrio cholarae, over 7 cholera pandemics have occured with initial pandemic originating in india in 1817.

Symptoms include mild to moderate diarrhoea,vomitings and muscle cramps . Diarrhoea caused in this disease can be so severe that it can cause severe DEHYDRATION and ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE which can cause death also.

Mode of transmission

This disease is transmitted via the FECO ORAL route of contaminated food and water which is due to poor sanitation. Cholera cases around the world are due to contaminated food and water. people with cholera have diarrhoea with classical RICE WATER appearance and this may contaminate the water used by others and play an important role in spreading the disease.

Eradication of the disease:

Prevention of this disease occured by following proper hygienic practices

The treatment for the disease mainly focuses on maintaining body fluid and electrolyte balance.the patient is given fluids like ORS and in severe cases iv ringer lactate is also given.Main motto of treatment is to stop vomiting and diarrhoea.

ANTIBIOTIC treatment for one to three disease can shorten the severity of the disease and reduce the signs and symptoms. Antibiotics like Doxycycline,Cotrimoxazole,Erythromycin ,Ciprofloxacin etc can be used.

Similarly there are many other pandemics like HIV/AIDS,PLAGUE,TB etc.!