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Biggest pandemics in the world: the 15 diseases that most marked history in number of deaths

With the current coronavirus pandemic, it is normal for people to be curious about similar cases from the past. Get to know the biggest pandemics in the world now.

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03. Smallpox: 300 million deaths

And number 3 on our list of the world's biggest pandemics is smallpox.

Because it took about a century (1896-1980) for it to be eradicated, which only happened after a strong vaccination campaign, the disease caused more than 300 million people worldwide to die.

In the photo, American women lining up for the smallpox vaccine in the 60's. Thanks to the strong vaccination campaign, the disease that claimed more than 300 million people was eradicated.

Caused by the Orthopoxvirus variolae virus, smallpox is transmitted from person to person through the respiratory tract.

Its symptoms were fever, body aches and skin eruptions, that is, a series of pus-filled warts on the body of the infected person.

As we said, the disease was only eradicated after a strong vaccination campaign in the 1980s.

However, its vaccine was discovered in 1796 by Edward Jenner, being the first ever.

By the way, for those who are interested, it is highly recommended to read more about this British naturalist and physician, who discovered the vaccine through his experiments with cows (hence the name!).

About the author  /  Priscilla de Cassia

Graduated in business administration and tax auditor, she has been a freelance writer since 2016 to cultivate her hobby for writing and to earn extra income. Currently, he writes about financial life, credit cards, air miles and travel, as well as curiosities in general.

Reviewed by  /  Junior Aguiar

Senior Editor

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