Major Pandemics in the History of Mankind
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PhD, MIPHA, FRSPH (London), Team Lead, COVID-19 Research Trackers – UNESCO, New Delhi ,IN
Kaushik Bharati
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24906/isc/2023/v37/i3/223657Keywords:
Bubonic plague, Cholera, PandemicAbstract
Pandemics of gigantic proportions have afflicted humanity since antiquity. Various types of viruses, bacteria and other deadly pathogens have decimated populations across the globe over millennia. Bubonic plague is one such scourge that terrified millions of people once-upon-a-time. Many of the pandemics have died away over time, but some still persist. Cholera is one such pandemic that’s still smouldering. The current COVID-19 pandemic is still omnipresent and still creating havoc in many parts of the globe. Hence, it’s far from over and far from becoming “history”, which is why it hasn’t been dealt with here. Nevertheless, it has taught us to be ever vigilant and always be on our vanguard in case another catastrophic pandemic strikes. It’s not a question of “if”, it’s a question of “when”. It may come tomorrow, it may come next decade, or the next century. Only time will tell.
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