The tiny monster that has been poisoning human life since ancient times is called a virus. 

The Latin word ‘virus’ means ‘poison’.

Again, people are using this ‘poison’ for human welfare lately. But it is certain that these terrible little monsters will have to wait a few more days to be completely captured by Aladdin’s Wonder Lamp. Tiny viruses have terrible lethality. In the twentieth century alone, smallpox has claimed the lives of about 300 million people.

Tiny viruses have terrible lethality. In the twentieth century alone, smallpox has claimed the lives of about 300 million people. Although it is not known who was the first victim, the last victim in this world was Rahima Banu of Bangladesh. It is now possible to eradicate this monster. Another nightmare is the Spanish flu. Between 1918 and 1919, the virus killed between five and 100 million people – about three percent of the world’s population.

There are many unknown viruses in the world. Of these, six viruses can be identified as the most dangerous. Coronavirus has recently been added to those six viruses.

Top famous viruses or Most dangerous viruses in the world

Ebola virus

So far, the Ebola virus is at the top of the list of deadly viruses. So far six variants have been identified. Deaths from the Ebola virus can vary from 25 percent to more than 90 percent. However, experts said that if the affected person can be brought under immediate treatment, it is possible to save him. The first outbreak of this deadly virus was reported in 1986. Simultaneously in Niger, Sudan, Yambuku and Republican Congo. From 2014 to 2015, the Ebola epidemic killed 11,333 people in West African countries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2,909 people were infected with the Ebola virus in 2019, and 1,953 of them died. To date, no effective antidote against to the Ebola virus has been developed. The Ebola virus is transmitted to infected people through parental route/blood, saliva or any secretions, or through wounds.

Rabies virus

The rabies is a virus which is neurotropic, thats means  it spreads from animals to humans. The disease caused by that virus is called rabies . According to figures from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, 59,000 people die of rabies every year around the world. The rabies virus transmits  throuh the saliva of  animals which are infected. When those animals bite people, people get infected. Despite having an effective vaccine, it is not yet possible to get rid of the panic of rabies because the infected person is not vaccinated in time.

The virus directly attacks the human nervous system and disrupts normal functioning. If the vaccine is not given in time, the death of the infected person is inevitable. When the rabies virus transmits  to the brain, the symptoms of rabies start to appear. Within three to five days of the onset of symptoms, the patient dies of severe convulsions and paralysis.

H5N1 or mutant influenza virus   

And the seasonal influenza virus

This virus is a mutant. Dutch virologist Ron Fuchs converted the bird flu virus into a laboratory. In 2011, the American Biosafety Agency (NSABB) imposed strict restrictions on research and publication of the virus, as it is highly contagious and extremely dangerous. Researchers have confirmed that the monster virus has been housed in a highly secure cell in the laboratory. There is no way to escape/free from there. The lethality of the common bird flu virus is over 80 percent. Even then, the highly lethal virus can transform itself. For that, the experts are especially unaware of it.

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza is responsible for the deaths of 290,000 to 8.5 million people worldwide each year. In the United States alone, more than 30 million people have been infected with influenza this season, and at least 16,000 have died. The virus killed 8,100 people in France in the 2018-2019 season.

Marburg Virus

The philovirus is named after a city in Germany. Although it is less deadly/Dangerous  than the Ebola virus. However, there are many similarities between these two viruses. High virulence means that about 80 percent of infected people die from the virus. Infection with the Marburg virus can lead to a high fever on the fifth or seventh day, as well as severe hemorrhage, blood in the stool, severe bleeding in the nose, gums, and vagina. In some cases, inflammation of the testicles called orchitis can also occur in men after two weeks of illness. Hopefully, this virus is not transmitted very easily. Excessive contact with an infected person can cause the Marburg virus to be transmitted through feces, urine, saliva, or vomit.

Dengue virus 

Dengue has another name, ‘Tropical Flu’. Dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquito bites. Less dangerous than other viruses. The dengue virus has recently hit Europe as well. An estimated 390 million dengue cases are reported each year in 141 countries around the world. Worldwide, dengue fever kills about half a million people each year.

Worldwide, dengue fever kills about half a million people each year and kills about 25,000 people. It is possible to get rid of dengue virus infection by following Aedes mosquito control and following some health rules.

HIV or AIDS virus

The virus can lurk in host cells for eight to 10 years. When activated, the host’s body defends its natural defenses and pushes him to the brink of death. According to the World Health Organization, 75 million people have been infected with the HIV virus since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, and about 32 million people have died of HIV.

On March 10, 2020, the British Medical Scientific Journal reported that a British man living with AIDS had a bone marrow transplant. He is the second person to be freed from AIDS. This is a remarkable achievement in the fight against AIDS.

Novel Corona virus  (COVID-19)

Coronavirus is a variant of the coronavirus that has been causing panic around the world lately. According to the information we have so far, less than 4 out of 100 people infected with the virus have died and more than half have already recovered. A new version of the corona virus has not yet been fully unveiled. Scientists are trying to understand its speed and have come up with an antidote to it. Researchers at the Pasteur Institute in Paris hope to bring good news to the world soon.

Author :

Md Noman Islam Nirob

Rangpur medical College (46th batch), Rangpur, Bangladesh.