The most common dangerous viruses
in the world
The threats to human health posed by viruses are constantly evolving. As new viruses emerge and old ones re-emerge, it is important to be aware of the most common and dangerous types of viruses in circulation.
The following is a list of the most common dangerous viruses in the world, based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of priority diseases:
1. Influenza
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. The flu can cause severe illness and even death, particularly in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Each year, flu epidemics cause 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide.
2. HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making the person infected vulnerable to other infections and illnesses, which can lead to AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, and can be fatal. There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are treatments available that can prolong a person’s life. Globally, HIV/AIDS is responsible for around 1 million deaths each year.
3. Ebola
Ebola is a severe, often fatal, viral illness that affects humans and non-human primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. Ebola is spread through contact with the body fluids (such as blood, urine, feces, saliva, sweat, and breast milk) of an infected animal or person. Ebola is a highly contagious virus and can be deadly if not treated early. There is currently no vaccine or cure for Ebola.
4. Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that primarily affects young children. Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, and a rash of red spots all over the body. Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles can be prevented with vaccination. There is no specific treatment for measles, but the virus can be deadly in some cases, particularly to young children and people with weak immune systems.
5. Polio
Polio is a viral illness that can lead to paralysis or death. Polio is spread through contact with the body fluids (such as saliva, mucus, or feces) of an infected person. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through vaccination. There is no specific treatment for polio, but the virus can be deadly in some cases, particularly to young children and people with weakened immune systems.
6. Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a viral illness that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). Yellow fever can be deadly in some cases, particularly to young children and people with weak immune systems. There is no specific treatment for yellow fever, but the virus can be prevented with vaccination.
7. Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a viral illness that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Dengue fever can be deadly in some cases, particularly to young children and people with weak immune systems. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, but the virus can be prevented with vaccination.
8. Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver that can lead to liver damage, liver failure, and death. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. There is no specific cure for hepatitis C, but the virus can be treated with medication.
9. Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is a viral illness that is spread through contact with the body fluids (such as urine, saliva, feces, sweat, and blood) of an infected rodent. Symptoms of lassa fever include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding from the eyes, nose, and mouth. Lassa fever can be deadly in some cases, particularly to young children and people with weak immune systems. There is no specific cure for lassa fever, but the virus can be treated with medication.
10. Rabies
Rabies is a viral illness that is spread through the bite of an infected animal. Symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, muscle pain, and paralysis. Rabies is 100% fatal if not treated immediately. There is no specific cure for rabies, but the virus can be prevented with vaccination..See page
20 years of the most dangerous viruses
The most dangerous viruses of the past 20 years have killed millions of people and left countless others disabled or with permanent health problems. Here is a look at some of these viruses and the devastation they have caused:
Ebola: First appearing in 1976, Ebola is a virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever. The virus is highly contagious and is spread through contact with infected body fluids. Ebola outbreaks have occurred sporadically over the past 40 years, with the most recent and deadliest outbreak happening in West Africa from 2014-2016. This outbreak killed more than 11,000 people.
HIV/AIDS: HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, when the body’s immune system is so damaged that it can no longer fight off infections and diseases. HIV is spread through contact with infected body fluids, and it can take years for someone to develop AIDS. AIDS first appeared in the early 1980s, and it has since killed more than 35 million people worldwide.
SARS: SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is a viral respiratory illness. It first appeared in China in 2002 and spread to more than two dozen countries around the world. SARS killed more than 770 people before it was contained.
H1N1/Swine Flu: H1N1 is a type of influenza virus that typically affects pigs. However, in 2009, a new strain of the virus emerged that could infect humans. This strain, commonly known as swine flu, spread quickly around the world and resulted in a global pandemic. H1N1 killed an estimated 284,000 people worldwide.
MERS: MERS, or Middle East respiratory syndrome, is a viral respiratory illness that first appeared in Saudi Arabia in 2012. MERS is spread through contact with camels or infected people. The virus has killed more than 800 people, mostly in Saudi Arabia.
Ebola, HIV/AIDS, SARS, H1N1/swine flu, and MERS are just a few of the most dangerous viruses of the past 20 years. These viruses have killed millions of people and left countless others with permanent health problems.
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