2010--H1N1 (started 2009) 2012--MERS 2014--Ebola 2016--Zika 2018--Ebola returns 2020--I think we all remember 2022--Monkey pox 2024--Monkey pox part deux! https://apnews.com/article/what-is-mpox-monkey-pox-congo-emergency-415d11f9e62d104b4c40dd8fe8e80b47
The big takeaway here is that nature is brutal and outbreaks of disease occur frequently. Sometimes reality is harsh.
https://www.cfr.org/timeline/major-epidemics-modern-era Working backwards, prior to the every-two-years timeline I started with, there was SARS in '02-'03, HIV beginning in the '80's, H3N2 (Hong Kong flu) in 1968, cholera pandemic starting in 1961, H2N2 (Asian flu) in 1957, and of course the Spanish flu in 1918-1920 Yeah, definitely feels like 8 worldwide epidemics in the past 15 years is a bit of a frequency uptick from 6 in the prior 90. But I'm sure it's just a function of improved communication technology in the internet age.
Viral infections are really only a serious threat to those whose health is already severely compromised. With the exception of populations that are exposed to viruses incredibly novel to them. Like the Indians who had been separate from Eurasia for thiu of years. And no the Spanish fly is not an example, neither is aids or polio
