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Coronaviruses -

The coronaviruses owe their name to the crown-like projections, visible under microscope, that encircle the capsid. Coronaviruses are responsible for respiratory ailments and gastroenteritis, including SARS and the current COVID-19.

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Hepatitis A virus -

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water, or through direct contact with an infectious person.

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Herpes simplex virus -

The herpes simplex virus is a member of the herpesviridae family.

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Dengue virus -

The dengue virus is responsible for dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease the symptoms of which include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.

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Mycobacterium tuberculosis -

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a species of pathogenic bacteria in the family Mycobacteriaceae. It is the causative agent of tuberculosis.

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Papilloma virus -

As well as genital and respiratory papillomatosis, the papilloma virus is  involved in certain cancers of the cervix.

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Poxvirus -

Poxviruses exist throughout the world and cause disease in humans and many other types of animals. Diseases associated with this family include smallpox and pustular dermatosis.

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Zika virus -

Zika virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes.

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Lassa virus -

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted by rodents.

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Pneumococcus or streptococcus pneumoniae -

Pneumococcus or streptococcus pneumoniae is a common bacteria found in the mucosa of the mouth and pharynx. Under certain conditions it can become the causative agent of pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, and otitis.

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Picornavirus -

Picornavirus and RNA virus, including rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, are responsible for common colds and gastroenteritis.

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HIV virus -

The HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that over time causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

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Reovirus -

The reovirus is responsible for respiratory and gastric infections.

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Hepatitis B virus -

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that affects the liver.

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H5N1 influenza virus (avian influenza) -

H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person.

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Measles morbillivirus -

The cause of measles, humans are the natural hosts of the measles morbillivirus; no animal reservoirs are known to exist.

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Yersinia pestis bacteria -

Yersinia pestis is the bacteria responsible for the plague, which takes three main forms: pneumonic, septicemic, and bubonic.

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Vibrio vulnificus -

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium in the same family as those that cause cholera.

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Ebola virus -

Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans. It's transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.

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Salmonella bacteria -

Salmonella bacteria is responsible for salmonella, the most frequently reported cause of food-related illness. It can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, fever, and pain and cramping in your belly.

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Brucella bacteria -

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people. Most commonly, people are infected by eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products. It's also known as Malta fever.

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Marburg virus -

The Marburg virus is a hemorrhagic fever virus, which causes convulsions and bleeding of mucous membranes, skin, and organs. It has a fatality rate of 90%.

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Hantavirus -

The Hantavirus describes several types of viruses. The cause of severe respiratory distress, symptoms include lung disease, fever, and kidney failure.

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Listeria bacteria -

A foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women, people older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems, Listeria is most commonly caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.

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Machupo virus -

The Machupo virus causes Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, an infectious disease originating in the South American country of Bolivia.

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Rotavirus -

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children.

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Clostridium botulinum -

This bacterium secretes a toxin, Botox, which inhibits the neurons responsible for muscle contraction.

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Nipah virus -

A bat-borne virus, Nipah virus infection causes a disease with a high mortality rate.

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Anthrax bacterium -

Anthrax spores can live for many years, enabling the bacteria to survive in a dormant state.

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Neisseria meningitidis -

The Nneisseria meningitidis bacterium is responsible for meningococcal meningitis, a serious infection characterized by inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain or spinal cord.

See also: Deadly diseases you thought were gone... but aren't.

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