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10 deadliest pandemics in history

A pandemic is defined as the widespread occurrence of disease, in excess of what might normally be expected in a geographical region.

Cholera, bubonic plague, smallpox, and influenza are some of the most brutal killers in human history. And outbreaks of these diseases across international borders, are further defined as pandemic, especially smallpox, which through history, has killed between 300-500 million people in its 12,000 year existence.

The most recent outbreak of the Ebola virus, which has killed thousands of people, is still confined to West Africa. It may someday be pandemic, but for now, is considered an epidemic — and is therefore not included in this list.

However, the rapid spread of Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, around the world is undoubtedly a pandemic, as has been declared by World Health Organisation. 119 countries and territories around the world have reported a total of 119,294 confirmed cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 that originated from Wuhan, China, and a death toll of 4,300 deaths.

As the world battles to find a vaccine to prevent the spread of the current epidemic, here’s a look at some of the worst pandemics ever.

(Images: Getty; Info: MPHonline)