Where and When Human Viral Epidemics First Emerged

Abstract

Aims: This article attempts to date the conditions, terms and places of the first emergence of the main human viral epidemics (HIV, influenza, measles, smallpox). Place and Duration of Study: Department of Evolutionary Immunology Andent, Inc., between May 2002 and July 2012. Methodology: The investigation was based on the integration and consequent sensing of relevant recent achievements of evolutionary branches of immunology, epidemiology and anthropology. The main focus was on the integration of up-to-date achievements of both evolutionary and historic anthropology with the data regarding inter-ethnic differences in hereditary immunity to relevant infections and the traces of the aforementioned epidemics. Results: In contrast to rabies infection the considered epidemics emerged non-simultaneously between 14,000 and 10,000 years ago on the Eurasian territories. They were introduced into America and Australia as well as Sub-Saharan Africa during the Great Geographical Discoveries and consequent Colonization. Conclusion: After their origin, both the epidemics and the traits of hereditary immunity against them continued to exist among humankind to the present, supported by genetically mitigated heterozygous forms of infections.