Scientists based out of Houston have developed a vaccine against the viral, vector-borne disease, Chikungunya. It is thought the first outbreak of the disease was in 1779 and it was documented for the first time in 1955, by Marion Robinson and WHR Lumsden. Though a vaccine against the virus is finally here, there are various other extremely lethal viruses that are still untreatable.
Here are the top 5 deadly viral diseases with no cure:
Ebola
This often-fatal virus led to over 10,000 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone recently. In 1995, an outbreak in the Sudan and Congo also resulted in hundreds of deaths. The symptoms of infection include high fever, profuse haemorrhaging and rashes. So far, infectious disease experts have not come up with a standard treatment for this lethal infection that can have a mortality of rate of over 80% in most cases.
Polio
Although polio has been eradicated in most parts of the world thanks to a concerted global effort, there is still no cure for this disease once symptoms present themselves. Poliomyelitis or polio is a viral disease caused by the poliovirus which impacts the nervous system. Some symptoms of this disease are headaches, fever, nausea, fatigue, spasms and pain in the muscles; but these symptoms are not observed in 70% of the cases. Though this disease can be prevented by a vaccine, there is no cure.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is caused by a lentivirus. This deadly disease compromises the immune system and makes a person extremely susceptible to all sorts of infections and ailments leading to an Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Though, with the help of various drug therapy combinations and other treatment, the progression of the disease can be controlled, but researchers have yet to find a cure or a vaccine for this almost-always-fatal disease.
Rabies
The most lethal virus around. Rabies has a 100% mortality rate once symptoms present themselves, and the end is especially brutal. This disease, caused by lyssaviruses, causes inflammation in the brain; its symptoms include fever, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, loss of control, abnormal bhaviour et al. There is no cure, although a vaccine is available. Rabies is also called hydrophobia, due to one of its most common symptoms.
Marburg
Marburg virus disease (MVD) is caused by marburgviruses. This disease is one of the most lethal for humans and non-human primates. Its clinical symptoms are the same as Ebola. This disease is caused by exposure to another person's blood as well as bodily secretions. Its symptoms are headaches, muscle aches, chills and fever. There is no cure or vaccine.
