Authors : P. Ranade
Page Nos : 147-149
Description :
A pandemic is a disease that spreads over a whole country or the whole world. Turning the pages of history one could witness that the humanity has combated with pandemics beginning from the influenza epidemic dating 1200 BC affecting the population of Babylon, Persia, Central Asia. The destructive Black Death in 1346 devastated Europe, Asia and North America. In 1563, London fell prey of the Bubonic plague leading to the death of thousands. Epidemiologists Malik Peiris and Yi Guan write " ’nature ’ remains the greatest bioterrorist threat of all." It is true too. Man and nature are inseparable. Human beings live in communities and it is a known fact that Man is a social animal. The more active the human interaction and civilization, the more is the possibility of spread of disease. From the discovery of new sea routes, to the introduction of airways the world is coming close resulting in the creation of global village. Thus the chances of pandemic disease is also very high. Ever since the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak the scientists of the world are working in their laboratories to save mankind from mass destruction by the tiny microscopic organisms. The virus and bacteria are so powerful that they are able to destroy the most intelligent animal on the Earth, Man. They are not only destroying mankind but also their inner strength and confidence. The psychological impact of the pandemic on general public is discussed in this paper.
