[PHOTOS] 5 Diseases in Africa That Are Deadlier Than Ebola

 

Ebola is surely one of the deadliest diseases known to mankind right now but there are number of deadlier diseases out there with a much higher death toll. Humanity and Nigeria in particular still battle several ailments that are leaving numerous deaths in their wake. Here are 5 diseases that are deadlier by far in fatality compared to Ebola:

1) Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is the second-deadliest infection in the world, and it infects more than 8.6 million people per year and is the cause of death of 1.3 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. “Tuberculosis can spread easily, in the air and from coughing,” said an American medical practitioner by the name of Dr. Liscynesky. “Some countries are able to control it.

Because of our public health infrastructure, it doesn’t spread in America. Ebola is the main concern because the epidemic is out of control, but usually tuberculosis is a huge concern in Africa,” she added.

2) HIV/AIDS

AIDS is still ravaging the African continent and killing millions of Africans without stopping. It has killed far more than every Ebola outbreak in history added together. In 2011, the virus killed 1.7 million people worldwide, and with an estimated 34 million more were still living with the condition, according to AVERT, a UK-based HIV/AIDS charity.

3) Malaria

Malaria is also equally a formidable challenger to the almighty Ebola and even trumps the later in terms of impact. In addition to HIV and tuberculosis, this infectious disease remains a top problem in Africa and most especially, Nigeria. 

 

In 2012, the mosquito-borne disease caused an estimated 627,000 worldwide deaths, mostly among African children, according to WHO. The organisation estimates there were about 207 million cases that year.

4) Pneumonia

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in African children and adults alike. According to allafrica.com, diseases like Pneumonia and bronchities claim the lives of over 4 million people worldwide yearly. This death toll is much higher in countries with limited access to health facilities. Pneumonia is responsible for about 90 percent of all lower respiratory tract infections and it kills about 800,000 Africans a year.

Measles

According to cdc.org, Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the measles virus. Measles causes fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. About one out of 10 children with measles also gets an ear infection, and up to one out of 20 gets pneumonia. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die.

Adults can also get measles especially if they are not vaccinated. Children under 5 years of age and adults over 20 are at higher risk for measles complications including pneumonia, and a higher risk of hospitalization and death from measles than school aged children and adolescents.