- Over time researchers all around the world have started to locate some new and old viruses and diseases. These diseases range from life-changing to mildly annoying.The eight viruses and diseases that are in question today are as follows: Another variant of the coronavirus, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Paramyxoviruses, Influenza (The Common Flu), Rift Valley Fever, Zika, Disease X and Lassa Fever. The most dangerous of these are: The Paramyxoviruses (the Nipah virus being the most dangerous of them), the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Lassa Fever, and Disease X. Essentially Disease X is any unknown ancient virus that could be trapped in ice or a colony of animals that are isolated from human life.
The coronavirus variants are transmitted though human contact. The effect of the coronavirus varies from person to person with the elderly and children being most affected by the virus. Commonly the carrier of the virus will feel symptoms similar to the flu but worse and death is possible.
The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is transmitted by ticks. Climate change has been shown to affect the spread and reach of the Fever from spreading through the ticks. The virus has quite a high mortality rate.
The Paramyxoviruses family of viruses is quite expansive and is hard to name all of them, but it includes measles, mumps, and the Nipah virus to name some. The Paramyxoviruses family has an exceedingly high fatality rate and often times patients don’t survive. Unfortunately, the Paramyxoviruses currently do not have a vaccine.
Influenza (Flu) is a common virus that does not pose much of a threat to its host. The virus is quite mild and is transmitted though humans most commonly in the wintertime when people are indoors.
Rift Valley Fever is carried by animals and transmitted by mosquitos. The disease is mile to severe and spread through is unlikely. The Zika virus only applies to unborn babies. This virus causes microcephaly and other birth defects. Over time cases have declined.
Lassa Fever is a disease that is transmitted though rodents and small mammals. The fever has a lower mortality rate than Ebola but significantly impacts healthcare in West Africa. There is little treatment for the fever. In conclusion it is important to have continued preparedness and continued research to combat these and other potential pandemic threats.
RELATED STORIES:
- https://interestingengineering.com/lists/8-diseases-lead-next-pandemic
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/crimean-congo-haemorrhagic-fever#:~:text=Crimean%2DCongo%20haemorrhagic%20fever%20(CCHF)%20is%20a%20widespread%20disease,rate%20of%2010%E2%80%9340%25.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8461/
- https://www.who.int/activities/prioritizing-diseases-for-research-and-development-in-emergency-contexts
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
TAKE ACTION:
- https://www.prevention.va.gov/flu/prevention/index.asp
- https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/rvf/prevention/index.html#:~:text=Use%20only%20safe%20animal%20products,pants%20to%20cover%20exposed%20skin.
- https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/zika-virus-infection/prevention-and-control
- https://africacdc.org/disease/lassa-fever/#:~:text=Primary%20transmission%20of%20the%20Lassa,discourage%20rodents%20from%20entering%20homes.
- https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-biosecurity/pigeon-paramyxovirus-ppmv1
