4. Lassa, 1969-1970 (5,000 Deaths)
West Africa
Lassa is a BSL-4 virus, which is spread through rodents. Typically carried by a West African species called Mastonys, this virus is also airborne and tends to lurk around rat feces. Luckily, it doesn’t spread as easily among humans, who can only do so via bodily secretions. With a mortality rate of around 15%, it causes over 5000 deaths in West Africa each year. It starts with a fever, turning to chest pain, and ultimately even creating mucosal bleeding and deadness. Luckily, there are antiviral drugs out there to help tread this virus, especially when it is caught in the early stages.
Lassa
5. Rabies (59,000 Deaths)
Worldwide
Rabies is one of the most well-known diseases on the list, especially as it has a recorded history dating back to 2300 BC, when the Babylonians experienced symptoms from being bitten by rabid dogs. It’s never fun to get rabies, but luckily these days modern medicine can help to prevent it entirely through a series of available and affordable vaccinations. Exposure is still common these days from dog bites, but it only becomes problematic if the virus is left untreated. This can cause the central nervous system to shut down, causing hallucinations, rage and violent behavior. Some call it a process of turning into a zombie. Imagine what it would be like if it became airborne!
Rabies
