Plague of Athens †75 – 100 000
The earliest known pandemic occurred during the second year of the Peloponnesian War in 430 BC. The disease, suspected to be typhoid fever, caused thirst, bloody throat and..Read More
Cyprian Plague †Unknown
Named after its first victim St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, this pandemic afflicted the Roman empire for 13 years (until 262 AD). The total death toll remains unknown,..Read More
Justinian Plague †25 – 50 Million
This pandemic plagued many port cities around the Mediterranean Sea, and in particular the Byzantine Empire and its capital, Constantinople. Some believe that this was one of the..Read More
Leprosy †Unknown
Though it had been around for a long time, leprosy became a pandemic in Europe between the 11th and 13th century, leading to the creation of leper ghettos..Read More
The Black Death †75 – 200 Million
One of the most devastating pandemics in history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people in Eurasia, or around one-third of the world..Read More
The Columbian Exchange †85-90% of Indigenous Populations
The Spaniards brought with them disease such as smallpox, measles and the bubonic plague which devastated local populations. The Taino people, 60 000 strong upon Columbus’ arrival, were..Read More
The London Plague †100 000
In its second major appearance, the bubonic plague took 20% of London’s population (~100 000 people). The worst of it faded as another event befell the city –..Read More
Cholera Pandemics †39 Million
First of seven over the next 150 years, it lasted seven years and began near Calcutta. From there it spread through East Asia and even reached the Mediterranean,..Read More
Asian Plague †15 Million
The third bubonic plague pandemic began in China and moved through India, claiming 15 million victims on its path. In China, it was a factor in triggering the..Read More
Measles Pandemic †40 000
When the Fiji islands were handed to the British by their King Cakobau, he and his men sailed to Sydney and returned carrying measles. It rapidly spread and..Read More
Russian Flu Killed 360 000
This pandemic started in Siberia and Kazakhstan, went through Europe and reached Africa and North America. By 1890, 360 000 lives were taken, and with two more recurrences,..Read More
Spanish Flu Killed 17 – 100 Million
From January 1918 to December 1920, this unusually deadly flu pandemic infected 500 million people (27% of the world population) and killed between 17 and 100 million. Of..Read More
Asian Flu Killed 1.1 Million
This pandemic was caused by an avian influenza that began in China and lasted two years, quickly spreading to the United States and England. The second wave in..Read More
HIV/AIDS †35 Million
Transmitted sexually or through blood, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) slowly destroys one’s immune system until acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) sets in. It was first observed in American..Read More
