Disease Archive
Browse every major pandemic and epidemic documented in our database — death tolls, timelines, interactive maps, and more.
Smallpox (20th century)
PandemicSmallpox is considered one of the deadliest diseases in human history. In the 20th century alone, it killed an estimated…
Black Death
PandemicThe Black Death was the most devastating pandemic in human history, wiping out an estimated 30–60% of Europe's populatio…
Spanish Flu
PandemicThe 1918 Spanish Flu was the most severe pandemic in modern history. Unlike typical flu, it disproportionately killed yo…
Malaria (ongoing)
PandemicMalaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that has plagued humanity for millennia. Caused by Plasmodium parasites t…
HIV/AIDS
PandemicHIV/AIDS emerged in the early 1980s and became one of the most destructive pandemics in history. The virus attacks the i…
Plague of Justinian
PandemicThe Plague of Justinian was the first major pandemic recorded in history, striking the Byzantine Empire and surrounding…
COVID-19
PandemicCOVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It spread globally…
Cholera (7 pandemics)
PandemicCholera has caused seven documented pandemics since 1817, all originating in the Ganges Delta of India. Caused by the ba…
Ebola (2014–2016)
PandemicThe 2014–2016 West African Ebola epidemic was the largest Ebola outbreak in history, primarily affecting Guinea, Liberia…
Hantavirus (ongoing)
PandemicHantavirus was first recognized in 1993 in the Four Corners region of the United States. It is transmitted through conta…
Death toll estimates sourced from WHO, CDC, and peer-reviewed academic literature. Ranges reflect historiographic uncertainty.