Avian Influenza (H5N1, H7N9): The Bird Flu Viruses That Could Spark a Pandemic
Avian influenza, or bird flu, refers to influenza viruses that primarily infect birds but can occasionally jump to humans and other animals. While most bird flu viruses do not infect humans, some strains—like H5N1 and H7N9—have caused severe human infections with high fatality rates. The biggest concern? A mutation could allow these viruses to spread […]
SARS & MERS: The Deadly Coronaviruses Before COVID-19
Before COVID-19 dominated global headlines, two other coronaviruses—SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)—caused deadly outbreaks. While both diseases were less contagious than COVID-19, they had higher fatality rates and raised early concerns about coronaviruses jumping from animals to humans. SARS and MERS are both zoonotic coronaviruses, meaning they originally came […]
Monkeypox: The Emerging Virus You Need to Know About
Monkeypox is a viral infection that causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a painful rash. While it was once considered rare and confined to Central and West Africa, recent outbreaks have spread it worldwide. Unlike its cousin smallpox, monkeypox is less deadly, but it can still cause severe illness, scarring, and long-term complications. The 2022 […]
Ebola & Marburg: The Deadliest Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Ebola and Marburg viruses are among the most lethal viruses known to science, causing severe hemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates. Both belong to the Filovirus family and are known for their ability to cause widespread outbreaks, particularly in Africa. Ebola gained global attention during the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, while Marburg, though less well-known, […]
Hantavirus: The Deadly Virus Spread by Rodents
Hantavirus is a rare but deadly virus that spreads to humans through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. It can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease with a high fatality rate. Unlike many viruses, hantavirus does not spread from person to person (except in rare cases with some strains). Instead, […]