1.Malaria
The mosquito-borne disease affects
more than 500 million people annually, claiming between one million and three
million lives each year, and is widely considered to be the deadliest disease
in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa suffers the most, with nearly 90 percent of
these cases, and children are disproportionately affected. Sadly, the illness
was nearly eradicated completely 30 years ago, but has since come back with a
vengeance
2.HIV/AIDS
The HIV and AIDS epidemic has been
steadily growing worse each year, and of the 33 million people affected in the
world, 65 percent live in sub-Saharan Africa. While treatment options are
growing, the high price of medicine remains one of the biggest obstacles to
tackling the epidemic. Insufficient sexual health education continues to be a
problem too.
3.Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis or TB has become one of
the deadliest diseases in Africa, often going hand-in-hand with HIV and
AIDS. More than 8 million new TB cases are recorded each year, and more than
half of those infected die if untreated. It’s estimated that a new TB infection
occurs once every second in Africa due to malnutrition, a lack of immunization,
and the mitigating prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
4.Dengue
Another mosquito-borne illness,
dengue fever is estimated to affect more than 50 million people each year.
Outbreaks are most common in Africa and Asia. High fevers, pounding headaches,
muscle and joint pain, and potential circulatory failure are all symptoms.
Those suffering from it need to seek treatment which isn’t always readily
available to ward off the worst possible outcome.
5.African Trypanosomiasis/Sleeping Sickness
Spread by the tsetse fly in many
African countries, African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness can cause
extreme neurological damage from damaged sleep cycles when left untreated,
resulting in death. The World Health Organization estimates more than 450,000
cases occur annually.
6.Cholera
A water-borne disease, cholera is
spread through contaminated drinking water. It has been very difficult to
combat in sub-Saharan Africa. Sierra Leone and Ghana both had serious recent
outbreaks with tens of thousands of people infected. Governments have had to
declare national emergencies to deal with the disease. Without proper hydration
and removal from the source of unsanitary conditions, cholera can often result
in death
7.River Blindness/Onchocerciasis
Known colloquially as river
blindness, onchocerciasis is a parasitic worm that can enter the human body and
live there for years. Nearly 100 percent of the 18-million river blindness
cases have been recorded in Africa. Victims suffer from skin infections,
lesions, and visual impairment often resulting in complete blindness.
8.Diarrhea
Though some cases can be mild,
severe diarrhea can be fatal, especially for children or the infirm. Diarrhea
is often associated with other diseases, but is pinpointed for more than 8
percent of all deaths in Africa each year. High rates of malnutrition and
unsanitary conditions leading to contaminated drinking water make diarrhea
prevalent. Extreme dehydration is often a concern for those suffering
from diarrhea.
9.Pneumonia
One of the most common illnesses
around the globe, pneumonia and other respiratory infections are the leading
cause of death for Africans. With unreliable access to healthcare facilities,
it is extremely difficult for infected people to receive treatment. An
estimated 4.2 million people die each year from pneumonia or like illnesses,
and a disproportionate number come from Africa.
10.Meningitis
Meningitis can be a severely
debilitating disease, hampering quality of life even long after recovery. Most
often found in northern and central Africa, the disease infects the brain and
spinal cord, accounting for its shockingly high mortality rate. Nearly 175,000
people die each year from meningitis, according to recent World Health
Organization estimates, and thousands more are left with permanent brain damage
or vision and hearing impairments.
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