Paradoxically, human evolution has brought with it the emergence of new diseases and the persistence of others that continue to plague humanity. In a globalized and interconnected world, the speed at which infectious diseases spread has become a constant concern. This article explores ten of the most terrifying diseases, which stand out for their destructive potential, high rate of contagion and devastating impact on human health.
1. Ebola
A highly contagious viral hemorrhagic fever with a mortality rate that can reach 90%. Its symptoms include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea and internal and external bleeding. The lack of effective treatment and the rapid progression of the disease make it one of the most feared in the world.
2. Smallpox
Eradicated in 1980, smallpox still haunts humanity due to its potential for resurgence. Highly contagious, it caused high fever, skin rashes and, in many cases, death. The existence of samples of the virus in high-security laboratories raises fears of its use as a biological weapon.
3. Rabies
A viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing acute encephalitis. Transmitted by bites from infected animals, rabies is almost always fatal after the onset of symptoms, which include aggressiveness, hydrophobia and paralysis.
4. Bubonic Plague
Responsible for decimating millions of people in the Middle Ages, bubonic plague still persists in some regions of the world. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, it is transmitted by fleas from infected rodents and causes high fever, swollen lymph nodes and, in severe cases, septicemia and pneumonia.
5. Lassa fever
A viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa, transmitted by infected rodents. Its symptoms include fever, sore throat, vomiting and bleeding. The mortality rate ranges from 1% to 15%, but can reach 50% in pregnant women.
6. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
A rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by prions (infectious proteins). CJD causes progressive dementia, loss of motor coordination and, eventually, death. The variant form of CJD (vCJD), linked to the consumption of contaminated beef, raised great concern in the 1990s.
7. Marburg
A highly contagious virus from the same family as Ebola, which causes hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. Its symptoms are similar to those of Ebola, including high fever, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding.
8. Hantavirus
A group of viruses transmitted by infected rodents, which can cause two serious syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Both syndromes can lead to respiratory and renal failure, respectively, with a high mortality rate.
9. Avian Influenza (H5N1)
An influenza virus that infects birds and, in some cases, humans. The mortality rate in humans is high, and there is concern about the possibility of the virus mutating, making it more transmissible between humans and causing a pandemic.
10. Chagas Disease
Caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by insect vectors, Chagas disease affects millions of people in Latin America. In the long term, it can cause serious heart and digestive problems, leading to death.
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It is important to emphasize that research and development of effective vaccines and treatments are crucial to combat these diseases and protect the health of humanity. Epidemiological surveillance and international cooperation are equally important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and ensure global security.
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