Major Viral Outbreaks in the 1st Decade of 21st Century- Literature Review

Abstract

21st century has experienced several viral outbreaks, top of which is the severe acute respiratory syndrome- Corona Virus -2 (SARS- CoV-2/ COVID-19) that crossed all the borders and invaded human kind and health care settings with erupting mortality rate as never seen before and reshaping the global health care perspectives and responses. Besides COVID-19, there are several viral outbreaks seen in different countries which were confined to its region and were declared as the epidemic or endemic due to its widespread infection. The current review focuses 5 such viral outbreaks that were declared epidemic or endemic and resulted in disruption of health care system of that nation and highlights on its pathophysiology and our position in its treatment and vaccination status. The review included viral outbreaks of measles, avian flu, hendra, crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever, swan flu. Choice of these viral outbreaks was made after through search for all the potent outbreaks in the 1st decade of 21st century i.e., from 2000 to 2010, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) reports and factsheets. We abide with the fact that many other outbreaks were missed in this review. However, efforts were made to detail the selected outbreaks. Most of the viral outbreaks were seen with more than one outbreak and one nation which are detailed along with its familial hierarchy. Most comprehensive research was carried out to ensure no detail on its available treatment and vaccines were missed.