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Period: 1157 BCE to
Smallpox
The so-called variola virus, whose affectation in human beings has been known for at least 10,000 years, is the cause of the disease known as smallpox. It was a serious and extremely contagious disease that decimated the world population since its appearance, reaching mortality rates of up to 30%. It spread massively in the "new world" when the conquerors managed to cross the ocean. It was precisely by fighting this disease that the first vaccine was discovered. -
Period: 541 BCE to 549 BCE
Plague of Justinian
It is the first plague epidemic on record. The disease spread through Constantinople, at breakneck speed. And from there to the entire Empire. At the end of the epidemic, the imperial capital had lost almost 40% of its population , and throughout the empire it had claimed the lives of 4 million people. The economic consequences were catastrophic., for there were times when the number of dead exceeded that of the living. -
Period: 1346 to 1352
Black Death
The Black Death was one of the largest pandemics in history. Its animal origin was the rats, which during the Middle Ages lived together in the big cities with people and even traveled in the same transports, carrying the Yersinia Pestis bacteria, which causes the Black Death, with it. The numbers left behind by this epidemic are shocking. For example, according to the data handled by historians the European population went from 80 to 30 million people. -
Period: to
Spanish Flu
In March 1918, the first case of Spanish flu was recorded. It was named like this because Spain remained neutral in the Great War and information about the pandemic circulated freely. This virulent strain of the flu virus spread around the world. Health systems were overwhelmed and funeral homes could not cope. It is estimated that between 20 and 50 million people died worldwide. There are those who even dare to say that it could have been 100 million. -
COVID-19
The coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) is the pandemic we are currently experiencing. It is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms and recover without the need for special treatment. However, some people develop severe cases and need medical attention.
As of June 12, 2022, around 6.3 million people had died globally as a result of COVID-19.