A History of pandemics over the ages and the human cost

Abstract

The present CoVid-19 pandemic has occupied our imagination and has affected our lives like never before. There had been pandemics before from ancient times that had profoundly affected and influenced human civilisation in every aspect known. Dynamics of pandemics have evolved as civilisation progressed and pandemics were often facilitated by technological advances. However, pandemics also were stark reminders of inequalities that have always existed in human society. Pandemics demand social distancing and social isolation for containment as they are spread by contagion and thus threaten human existence driven by a delicate social fabric. This article traces the history of pandemics from the Roman times to the present day and presents an overview of these pandemics and their human cost.