The Biggest Outbreaks Throughout History

For most of human history, contagious illnesses were one of the most significant threats a population could face. Without modern medicine or cleanliness standards, illnesses quickly spread, resulting in thousands perishing. A serious outbreak could be enough to decimate a city and eliminate entire families. Over the course of history, there have been plenty of unpleasant outbreaks. These five outbreaks top the list of worst outbreaks throughout time.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has been a modern pandemic that we are still struggling to get under control. This disease has been incredibly destructive as it spreads very easily, has potentially fatal symptoms, and is greatly misunderstood. The earliest documented case of HIV is from 1959, but it managed to spread quietly throughout the world before it was finally noticed. The AIDS epidemic was worsened by the misconception that it only existed among the homosexual population, which is simply not true, and resulted in many heterosexual individuals not taking the proper precautions to avoid it. Despite new treatments that slow down the progression of the disease, it continues to claim many lives. At least twenty-five million people have succumbed to AIDS, and over sixty million individuals have been infected with HIV. HIV cases are diminishing in some areas, but in other regions, it continues to flourish. For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, one in five adults are currently infected with HIV.