Disease Detectives - Major Outbreaks

The Justinianic Plague

Bubonic Plague: virulent disease caused by Yersinia Pestis, transmitted by flea bites and person-to-person transmission

The Black Death

Bubonic Plague spread through Genoese ships to Mediterranean ports

Smallpox

The spread of the Variola virus throughout the Aztec Empire by Spanish troops

The Great Plague of London

A major outbreak of Bubonic Plague in Europe and England

The First Cholera Pandemic

Originated in the Ganges River in India and spread around the world

Third Plague Pandemic

The re-emergence of the Bubonic plague in China spread around the world. Ended in 1959

Measles in Fiji Island

Spread of Measles throughout Fiji from the British Empire in Australia

The Russia Flu

Influenza (H3N8) spread from Russia to the USA in 70 days due to new railroads and transatlantic boat travel

Influenza Pandemic

Spread worldwide and killed lots of young, healthy people. Caused by H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin.

Asian Flu

Caused by Influenza A subtype H2N2 and spread throughout the world.

Hong Kong Flu

Evolved from 1957 Asian Flu (caused by Influenza A subtype H2N2)

1980

Smallpox eliminated worldwide due to vaccination.

HIV/AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized in 1981. Developing countries suffered the greatest morbidity and mortality + devastating infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) retrovirus.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Spread from animal reservoirs (bats to civet cars to humans) in China in 2002. These cases occurred in a healthcare setting.

Swine Flu

The novel influenza virus caused lots of deaths in young people as many people over 60 yrs of age had antibodies. Caused by Swine Influenza Virus (SIV)

Covid-19

Detected on WUHAN as a result of a novel coronavirus. Caused a pandemic in 2020.