Three Pandemics in the Past and How They Ended

How the Pandemics in the Past ended

Pandemics have been troubling humanity for centuries.

Overview

Pandemics have been troubling humanity for centuries. 

Though Covid-19 has caused loss of lives worldwide, it is not the deadliest Pandemic. In fact, its cousins, SARS and MERS are much more deadly.  History has seen even more ready diseases such are The Black Death and the infamous Spanish Flu pandemic. So
I have prepared a list of how the pandemics in the past ended. Pandemics and Epidemics are also common now.

What is Herd Immunity?

Most pandemics end through a process called herd immunity. It is a process through which majority of pandemics end

1. The Black Death-Imposition of Quarantine

Black Death, also known as Bubonic Plague was a pandemic caused by the bacterium Yersinia Pestis. It was a devastating Pandemic that started when 12 ships from the Black Sea docked at the port on Messina. When the people arrived, they saw a terrifying sight. Many sailors were either dead or gravely ill with black boils and swollen lymph nodes. The Black Death wiped out a third of Europe's population. The disease made fleas their host and infected them and made them extremely famished. Then, the fleas would jump onto a human and bite it. In that process, they infected them. Thus, the five years of misery started.

During the Black Death Plague, the people of Venice, Italy came with a solution. Sailors docking in Venice would have to stay aboard the ship for a certain period of time and prove that they were not sick. This practice became worldwide and was one of the key factors in stopping the pandemic. Quarantine is also being used during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

2. Smallpox- Worldwide vaccination

SmallPox was an ancient disease that created pimples on humans and left them scarred. It was a very deadly disease and killed 3 out of every 10 people. Its origins are not known yet. But it is confirmed that it was in Egypt 3,000 years ago. It reached China in the 4th Century CE from which it reached other countries, especially Japan through trade routes.

British Scientist, Edward Jenner invented the first vaccine in 1796. He found that a relatively mild disease, Cowpox could provide protection against Smallpox. It was the world's first vaccine. Soon, aggressive strategies were used. People were vaccinated around the world. After nearly a century, WHO declared smallpox Completely Eradicated in 1980. It is the first disease to be eradicated and hopefully won't trouble humanity again. Thanks to vaccination.

3. Spanish Flu- Herd Immunity

You would think that the Spanish Flu started in Spain. But you are completely wrong! As ironic as it may sound, the Spanish Flu started in the Allied Countries during the second world war. However, the leaders knew that a disease would decrease the morale of their troops. Thus, it was named the Spanish Flu even if it should have been the British Flu.

As I explained in the beginning, Herd Immunity happens when most people are immune to a certain disease. Spanish Flu was spread by World War II soldiers when they shifted to other places. The First wave was relatively mild and most people recovered from it. But during the second wave, the virus mutated and became a lot deadly. Many people died from it. It is regarded as the worst pandemic in history by many. So how did it end? Most people had suffered from it and many became immune to it. Thus, the pandemic ended. But Influenza has not been eradicated and is a very common disease also known as the flu.

So How can we be prepared for Future Pandemics?

If we practice personal hygiene and sanitation we will be able to prevent pandemics. People should be vaccinated against potential pandemic diseases. More funds should be dedicated to the research of pandemics. And last but not least, countries should work together and co-operate to eradicate diseases. 

However, poverty still remains an issue as many people do not have access to basic necessities. People should contribute money to NGOs working to end poverty. However, poverty cannot be eradicated because of human prejudices and stereotypes which lead to discrimination. So as long as there is prejudice, poverty will remain.

How many diseases have been eradicated?

Currently, two diseases have been eradicated. they are SmallPox caused by the Variola Virus and Rinderpest, caused by the Rinderpest virus

Why vaccination just isn't enough?

Vaccination is crucial in preventing diseases but it just isn't enough if we want to eradicate diseases. Pandemics in the past were easily spread because of poor hygiene. So, if we prevent any disease, a new one will emerge. What can prevent this is proper hygiene.

Will there be deadlier pandemics in the Future?

In my previous article, I discussed why pandemics are more common now. Most pandemics diseases are zoonotic and spread to humans by a process called "Animal to Human Contact."

This is caused by deforestation. You can go to that article to know more about it. 
So if new diseases, of which the immune system does not have any memory of infects humans, then it will be deadly. That is why deforestation should be stopped to prevent any animal to human contact.

If we all do our bit in preventing pandemics, the world will be a better place to live.

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