Disease

The history of disease in this timeline has followed a markedly different trajectory than our own. While some of the most devastating epidemics of the past have been all but eliminated, new and highly infectious pathogens have arisen to take their place, posing grave threats to human health and society.

Eradication of Historical Diseases

Thanks to rapid advances in microbiology, immunology, and public health practices, many of the deadliest diseases that ravaged human populations for centuries were nearly eliminated in this timeline by the mid-20th century. These include:

• Smallpox: Eradicated globally by 1940 through mass vaccination campaigns.
• Tuberculosis: Brought under control by the 1950s with the development of effective antibiotics and treatment regimens.
• Malaria: Nearly wiped out in temperate regions by the 1960s through insecticide use, draining of wetlands, and drug therapies.
• Cholera: Outbreaks dramatically reduced by investments in clean water infrastructure and sanitation.

These successes represented some of the greatest public health triumphs in human history, dramatically increasing life expectancies and enabling rapid population growth. However, they also removed important selective pressures that had shaped human evolution and immunity over millennia.

Emergence of Novel Diseases

As humanity made strides against historical scourges, new and often more virulent pathogens began to emerge with alarming frequency. Factors driving this trend include:

• Habitat destruction and encroachment on previously isolated ecosystems, exposing humans to novel zoonotic viruses.
• Globalization and increased international travel enabling rapid global transmission of diseases.
• Antimicrobial resistance arising from overuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs.
• Climate change altering the ranges and lifecycles of disease vectors like insects and rodents.
• Genetic drift and recombination allowing viruses to rapidly evolve and evade immunity.

These "emerging infectious diseases" have included:

• The Primal Flu pandemic of 1972-1974, which killed over 50 million people worldwide.
• The Ithian Fever outbreak of 1982, a deadly viral hemorrhagic fever originating in Central Africa.
• The Neurox virus, first identified in 2005, which causes severe neurological damage and paralysis.
• The Solaris Plague, an antibiotic-resistant bacterial pneumonia that emerged in 2019.

Societal Impacts

The emergence of these new disease threats has had profound and disruptive impacts on human societies globally. Major outbreaks have:

• Caused widespread death, suffering, and psychological trauma.
• Overwhelmed healthcare systems and supply chains, leading to shortages of critical medical resources.
• Spurred mass migration and displacement of populations fleeing infected areas.
• Triggered economic crises, supply chain breakdowns, and mass unemployment.
• Eroded public trust in governments and institutions seen as failing to respond adequately.
• Accelerated the development of new medical technologies like mRNA vaccines, rapid diagnostics, and telemedicine.
• Heightened tensions between nations over issues like border closures, vaccine access, and data sharing.

The Ongoing Battle

Despite remarkable advances in our scientific understanding of pathogens and the development of increasingly sophisticated interventions, the battle against emerging infectious diseases remains an ever-shifting challenge.

Constant mutation and evolution of viruses and bacteria means that the healthcare and public health communities must remain vigilant and nimble. Early detection, data sharing, and rapid response capacity are critical to containing outbreaks before they spiral out of control.

At the same time, deeper investment in areas like epidemiology, computational biology, and artificial intelligence are enabling new tools for predicting, modeling, and combating novel disease threats. Strengthening global cooperation and solidarity is also seen as vital to success in this ongoing war against the microbial world.

While the burden of infectious disease in this timeline remains high, there is guarded optimism that humanity can stay ahead of the curve through continued scientific progress, preparedness planning, and an unwavering commitment to public health. The ultimate hope is to restore stability, resilience and security in the face of constantly evolving disease challenges.