8. Influenza, Early 1900’s (50,000,000 deaths)
Worldwide
Influenza is likely the most commonly known and cited worldwide pandemics. Beginning with the outbreak of the Spanish flu in the early 1900’s, it is well documented as one of the worst outbreaks of any virus, killing fifty million people over the span of 24 months. Thankfully, effective vaccines exist, and these days most people survive infections, even though respiratory illnesses are always tricky. Thousands of strains exist at any given time, and 40% of strains are actively monitored for being the most problematic in the U.S.
Influenza
9. HIV/AIDS Pandemic, 32 Million People Died Of HIV (770,000 Yearly Death)
Worldwide
36 million people died in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The disease was first found in the DRC in Africa in the late 1970’s, slowly killing a series of people over the next few years. Back then, living with the infection, which is spread through bodily fluid contact, typically during sex, was not as easy to live with as it is today. 35 million people have HIV today, but awareness and new antiretrovirals have made it possible for people with access to healthcare to lead relatively normal lives. In recent years, the global deaths from the illness have dropped by 500 000, indicating that the battle is slowly being won.
HIV AIDS
