India has encountered several epidemics and pandemics throughout history. India, being a third-world country, has encountered a spread of epidemics and pandemics through time.
Several accounts of influenza, cholera, dengue, smallpox, and a number of others are recorded throughout history; while we’ve been ready to eradicate some; many diseases still pose a threat to the community.
Before the coronavirus, there are only two major, significant pandemics throughout Indian history. While cholera had been predominant throughout the 19th century with increasing death tolls, the influenza pandemic came afterward within the early 20th century.
Cholera Pandemic (1817)
This is considered to be the first major epidemic of the 19th century in British-colonized India, and was described as probably the most terrifying of all. The overall estimation of the mortality isn’t available because the data collection in India began much later, probably in the late 1860s.
As for the geography, it is important to note that the year 1817 had brought a very heavy rainfall leading to flooding which could have been the cause for such a rapid spread.
Influenza Pandemic (1918)
This is also referred to as the Spanish Flu of 1918-19. This had caused around 20- 50 million deaths worldwide and is considered to be the most devastating pandemic.
This was caused by the H1N1 strain of Influenza and was severe. The first episode of the disease began in early 1918 and later in autumn, it began to spread all around the world.
The second wave of the attack began in Bombay in 1918 and spread to other parts of northern India and Sri Lanka from where it spread worldwide.
India has stood strong through several epidemics and pandemics.
Way Forward
It can be established that throughout time, many infectious diseases became widespread thanks to the mere lack of sanitation and crowded environment. The tropical climate and the seasonal rains in India are important factors contributing to many vector-borne infection outbreaks within the past.
It is also a sad truth that India will have to face several more such outbreaks in the days
to come. Preparedness has to be given immense importance and control of spread should be the number one priority of the doctors and other health care workers.
The long history of pandemics from past till today suggests that there could also be no particular pattern to the timing of pandemics. Mutations of bacteria and viruses are ongoing affairs and their outbreaks can’t be forecast in any meaningful sense. Pandemics are often curtailed, not eradicated.
