Amid the covid-19 pandemic, viral diseases that once were seasonal have now become round-the-year scourges. These five viral diseases are the biggest killers.
Also read: Mixing other vaccines with AstraZeneca, Pfizer jabs generates robust immune response: Lancet study
Ebola
Ebola killed 11,000 people after it broke down in West Africa over 2014-16. There is no longer a widespread Ebola virus in West Africa, but occasional cases still occur. Ebola is spread through blood or other body fluids. Common chemical agents can kill the Ebola virus.
Also read: https://opoyi.com/usa/next-pandemic-may-be-worse-than-covid-healthcare-experts-say-207526/
Rabies
Rabies has the highest mortality rate among all viral diseases. Once a rabies infection spreads, there is no effective treatment. Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system, but is a vaccine-preventable disease.
HIV/Aids
By 2020, around 6 million people had died worldwide from Aids-related diseases. Aids can be spread by blood, unprotected sex, and during pregnancy from mother to child. Within a week, flu-like symptoms emerge, then the disease progresses. Aids symptoms include weight loss, fever and night sweats. There is no cure yet for HIV Aids.
Swine flu ( H1N1)
The total number of deaths due to swine flu was 2,84,000 during the 2009 pandemic. Swine flu is a respiratory infection carried by pigs and it can spread by airborne respiratory droplets, touching contaminated surfaces, saliva and skin to skin contact. Swine flu symptoms are cough, fever, sore throat and fatigue. Medications can cure swine flu.
Coronavirus ( Covid-19)
Coronavirus or Sars- Cov2 can cause respiratory problems, chest infection, or attack different body cells. Coronavirus symptoms are cough, fever and muscle or body ache. In all, 26.6 crore cases have been reported with 52.6 lakh fatalities. There is no cure for covid -19 yet. Personal care and vaccination can reduce the possibility of infection.
Flu is the most common viral disease, but it can be cured within three days.
