Apr 23, 2025
The Deadliest Viruses With The Lowest Survival Rates
These viruses and diseases are among the deadliest known to humanity, with alarmingly low survival rates. Here's a look at nature’s most lethal threats
African Sleeping Sickness Survival Rate: ~12.5% Caused by the Trypanosoma parasite, this disease spreads through tsetse fly bites and can lead to coma and death if untreated
Ebola Virus Survival Rate: ~50% Known for causing severe internal bleeding, Ebola has high fatality rates and spreads rapidly during outbreaks in Africa
Hendra Virus Survival Rate: ~56.5% Transmitted from horses to humans, Hendra causes respiratory and neurological illness. Few have survived after infection
Bird Flu (H5N1) Survival Rate: ~60% A zoonotic flu virus that jumps from birds to humans. While rare, it's often fatal, causing rapid respiratory failure
Nipah Virus Survival Rate: ~25% Spread by fruit bats, Nipah can cause brain inflammation and severe respiratory issues. It has no specific treatment or vaccine
Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) Survival Rate: ~5% Found in warm freshwater, this rare amoeba infects the brain through the nose and destroys tissue rapidly
Rabies Survival Rate: ~0.0001% Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. The virus attacks the nervous system and spreads through animal bites
Mad Cow Disease (vCJD) Survival Rate: 0% A fatal brain disorder caused by prions, often linked to contaminated beef. There’s currently no cure or treatment
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